The Vampire Diaries Spoilers: Why Were Damon and Lexi Friends?

Beware! The Vampire Diaries spoilers for Season 4, Episode 17, “Because the Night.”
If you’d told us back in Season 1 that Damon (Ian Somerhalder) and Lexi (Arielle Kebbel) were once friends, we never would’ve believed you. But even though we’ve seen them interact more and more over the decades (in flashbacks), it still seems pretty unlikely. He killed her so casually, if you recall.

In a new sneak peek video for Season 4, Episode 17, “Because the Night,” we get a little hint about why the immortal enemies were hanging out in the 1970s.

In the clip, Damon, Elena (Nina Dobrev), and Rebekah (Claire Holt) are all together in a New York City nightclub, listening to the band Dead Sara. When Damon passes around shots, the newly emotion-free vampire is skeptical. “Is this allowed?” Elena asks. “What would Lexi say?”

First of all, it appears that Elena and Bex are actually getting along. It’s kind of fitting that the Original sister would like this version of the doppelganger — they have very similar “I do what I want” attitudes.

Secondly, Damon explains what Lexi has to do with it. “Lexi thought the only way I would turn my emotions back on is if I started enjoying my life again,” he tells Elena. Aha! Lexi the fixer had to help Damon flip his humanity switch. It all makes sense now.

Wait. No, it doesn’t. Does this mean Elena is game to turn her emotions back on? Already?!