BACKGROUND: I have a desktop browser app that uses mapquest with the leaflet js plugin. I am using divIcon class for the markers, which allows me to use custom HTML and styling for the markers. Each divIcon marker also contains a hidden div that displays when the marker is hovered over (using :hover class). I am using neither the default marker or default popup built into leaflet, because custom html gives much better control over styling.
PROBLEM: When the popup is showing, any other markers on the map show on top of the popup, instead of underneath. I have tried setting z-index of the popup div to a really higher number, but it does not help.
WHAT IS EXPECTED: When you hover the mouse over an icon, the markers should be behind the popup, not in front.
THIS IS NOT A DUPLICATE QUESTION: This question is not the same as this one. That question was about having the default leaflet popups stay on top of a custom div that is outside of the map z-index context. This question is about a custom mouseover popup (not the default popup) staying above other markers. Plus, my solution is completely different from the admittedly javascript "hack" put forward as a workaround.
WORKING EXAMPLE OF PROBLEM: https://jsfiddle.net/mrrost/py2bqw7j/
Here is what divIcon code with custom marker/popup looks like:
var pin = L.divIcon({ 
  html: `
    <div class='marker'>
        Pin
        <div class='popup'>
        Marker info. Other markers WILL BE on top of this div.
        This is BAD and a PROBLEM.
      </div>
    </div>
  `,
});
This most important css definitions:
#map {
    position: fixed;
}
/* hide default leaflet pin; div.popup is put inside here */
.leaflet-marker-icon {
    border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;
}    
div.popup {
  display: none;
  position: absolute;
}
div.marker:hover div.popup {
  display: block;
}