ABSTRACT
This chapter shuns the claim "beauty is only skin deep" to show how beauty initiates, sustains, and enhances the relationship between beautiful vampires and their human beloveds. It focuses on male beauty and on female attraction to male beauty; that acknowledge recognition of beauty occurs both ways. The chapter argues female human gazes upon the male vampire's beauty and creates a dynamic of reciprocity between beholders and beheld. It demonstrates how the visual texts invite the viewer's gaze and represent the female gaze to challenge critics who posit women as powerless watchers and watched. The chapter supplements Diamond's claim and suggests Buffy, Bella, and Elena all pursue their own sexuality but also their sexuality exists in and initiates a loving relationship based on reciprocity. It shows the concept of nakedness and vulnerability and inaccessibility/impenetrability holds throughout all three series, Stefan and Damon's naked chests and arrowed hipbones also taunt and tempt Elena and the viewers through whom her desire resonates.
