Work Text:
The boys show their love for Dongjo’s lipstick endeavors in different ways.
For Hwanwoong, the older would always wear a soft smile before tapping his cheek. Dongju could never get out of his sight without leaving a lipstick mark on the boy's cheek.
It always made him flush, his body thrumming in happiness. However small it was, the gentle coo and the calm way in which Hwanwoong would ask for a cheek kiss made Dongju’s day.
The other members would catch on on days that Dongju had worn makeup earlier before removing it to do things outside the dorm. Only to come back to smug-looking group mates and a sheepish yet proud Hwanwoong (who wouldn’t wash off the lipstick stain until he went to bed).
For Youngjo, it was compliments. It caught Dongju off guard numerous times, his face lighting up into a familiar red hue. They weren’t screamed out loud (Keonhee had screamed about how pretty the Maknae was way too many times when drunk) no, Youngjo would quietly state it like a fact.
Sometimes even side hugging him and gently whispering “You look amazing Dongju-Ah,” before continuing on into the kitchen leaving the younger speechless.
He basked in the soft compliments, taking them in and drinking them up like a dehydrated plant. The soft looks and gentle praises eased any turmoil his brain had stirred up. Youngjo's words covering him like a blanket and warm cup of hot cocoa on a cold night.
Keonhee loved to proclaim his adoration for Dongju’s lipstick moments like he was performing a play scene. It usually came out like this: “God has blessed me today with seeing our glorious maknae adorned in the prettiest shade of red!” Before dramatically sighing in a theatrical manner.
It made him both amused and annoyed. The first time Keonhee had spoken like that, Dongju had let out a mortified croak before locking himself back in the bathroom out of embarrassment for thirty minutes. Only being lured out by the promise of a home-cooked meal.
The older’s declarations had to take some getting used to, but Dongju has learned to just scoff and roll his eyes fondly while the others snicker in the background at Keonhee’s dramatics.
Seoho’s admiration was hard to pinpoint to one theme. One day he’d be completely unbothered, not even acknowledging that the younger had adorned a new lip shade. Another, he’d be caught staring at Dongju’s face way too many times in one hour. Simply smiling softly before turning to focus on another groupmate or his phone.
But it worked, because Seoho’s reaction would also depend on Dongju’s mood whenever they came in contact.
If Dongju simply put it on because he felt like it, not for the attention, Seoho wouldn’t utter a single word about it. But on hard days when the maknae was feeling particularly down and would adorn a bright shade of lipstick or a new lip gloss, Seoho would smile and stare, sometimes pointing at his lips with an eyebrow raised in amusement.
Gunhak shows his fondness through touch. By grabbing and squeezing Dongju’s hand when they’re around the others and wants to tell him he looks nice. Or by caressing the side of his face with a proud look in passing moments. Or even by a neck or hip squeeze.
He’s rarely vocal about it, instead gravitating towards the youngest when he’s looking his best for himself. The contact doesn’t last too long, but isn’t super brief either. It’s a small pressure that lasts long enough to leave a tingle of warmth and happy fuzzy feelings once Gunhak releases him from his grip.
It’s a different comfort, the silent appreciation, and understanding shown through touch. It feels the most touching in some ways to Dongju.
He loves all his members and cherishes every one of their reactions to him. They are the closest people in his life (aside from Dongmyeong) and the fact that they’ve accepted everything he is makes him feel so loved.
He feels the happiest and most himself around them, and they are the pillars of his confidence that have helped him gain strength to feel comfortable in his own skin as he is.
Though his favorite moments are when they are all together, smushed against each other on the couch watching one of the member's favorite movies and simply basking in each other's presence. Where all his worries melt away at the soft eyes and coos of the members as they dote and snuggle him to their heart's content. And all Dongju can think of is how unbelievably content he feels.