Let's put some make-up on him

Make-up kit that I had collected from Julio in hand, I faced my friend ready to help him raise his spirits with the powdered confidence he needed.

"Nothing a bit of make-up can't fix!" I announced, approaching him from behind.

"What are you doing?" He was understandably confused.

"You saw the lighting at the party, and you saw the way everyone was in their own world." I started, "Make-up has the power to make us feel better about ourselves without feeling fake. It just enhances our natural beauty."

"And you are beautiful, Leo." I finished, that last line really making its effect on him as he nodded his consent.

I got to work applying the foundation on his face, complimenting him as I improved his attributes.

"Your eyelashes are amazing, I'm almost jealous."

Soon, he was ready for the big reveal, his eyes closed and standing in front of the mirror.

"You can open them." I announced, as his eyelids fluttered open, and he saw himself in all his glorious beauty in the mirror.

"Wow." He was understandably speechless. Despite not adding too much make-up, he looked like a refined version of his authentic self, and all signs of former tears were gone.

"You are beautiful, Leo. And worthy of love."

I smiled at him as he smiled back.

There was a beautiful tension in the air, that I eventually broke.

"You can choose to join the party or stay here. It's all up to you Leo."

The ball was now in his court.

"I think I'll admire your work for a while. I'll meet you at the party soon though!" Came his answer.

Julio did mention that I update him once I got Leo in his make-up...