Deep breath, Vampire Diaries Fanatics.

Damon Salvatore is alive and well. Or maybe he's just alive.

Ian Somerhalder has Tweeted our first look at the character on The Vampire Diaries Season 6, posting a photo online of himself on set, his face full of blood.

What might this mean for the status of Damon (and Bonnie) when we meet back up with them in the fall?

Ian Somerhalder Posts Bloody Damon Pic

Julie Plec has said the season will kick off with more "questions than answers" about the duo, though she did hint they aren't exactly riding a "roller coaster of fun" on The Other Other Side.

At Comic-Con, meanwhile, Somerhalder joked with us that Damon and Bonnie will be busy trying to make babies. Or at least we assume he was joking.

The Vampire Diaries Cast: Before They Were Stars

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What do you think this photo of Somerhalder means? Are you glad he and Bonnie will be sticking around, in some capacity? Or do you wish the show had actually taken the drastic step of killing them off?

Sound off below and prepare for The Vampire Diaries Season 6 Episode 1 (titled "I'll Remember) to air on October 2 at 8/7c.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.