Ian Somerhalder, Nina Dobrev dating rumors: Ian doesn't want Nina on 'The Vampire Diaries' season 8?

"The Vampire Diaries" star Ian Somerhalder is reportedly trying to avoid trouble by objecting to former flame Nina Dobrev's return for the final season of "The Vampire Diaries."

Various sources have been reporting on the alleged relationship between Somerhalder, who is married to "Twilight" actress Nikki Reed, and Dobrev, his former "The Vampire Diaries" co-star. Somerhalder and Dobrev dated for years while co-starring in the teen supernatural drama.

With "The Vampire Diaries" set to conclude with its upcoming season 8, fans have been eagerly awaiting a reunion between Somerhalder's Damon Salvatore and Dobrev's Elena Gilbert.

In an interview with Entertainment Weekly in July, "The Vampire Diaries" executive producer Julie Plec said there's a chance that Dobrev could show up in season 8.

"Nina has always said that if there's something for her to do in the series finale that she will be there to do it," Plec said. "When she left, she said, 'I want to see this character to its end at the end of the show, so I can't wait to come back and put her to bed again,'" Plec added.

However, there are rumors of Somerhalder attempting to block Dobrev's season 8 guesting out of respect for his wife.

Speaking with TV Line earlier this month, Somerhalder implied that he isn't keen on seeing Dobrev's character end up with Damon or his brother, Stefan (Paul Wesley).

"[S]he lost everyone she's ever loved, she burned her house down, she's now in a box," the actor said. "These guys have ruined her life, yet everybody wants her to end up with one of them," he added.

Could Somerhalder be trying to avoid even more controversy about him and his ex-girlfriend? Or are the two actually hiding an affair and don't want a reunion to draw attention to it?

GameNGuide also reported that there has been talk of Dobrev and Somerhalder being "nasty" with each other during a table read for the upcoming "The Vampire Diaries" season 8. Plec is said to be trying to sort the former couple's problem out and even reportedly sent Reed a text message assuring her that nothing will happen between Dobrev and Somerhalder while they are filming the show.

Whether or not Dobrev will be back for the final season of "The Vampire Diaries" remains to be seen.

"The Vampire Diaries" season 8 debuts on Friday, Oct. 21, at 8 p.m. EDT on The CW.