Or maybe I'm misinterpreting what you mean by "making fun"?

Yes, you do. I am not talking about power games, or domination/submission, or even simple malice.

The opposite of "making fun of X" is "taking X very, very seriously". With a serious expression on one's face, according to the instructions and forms carefully collected in a three-ring binder, while being conscious of one's self-importance, and certainly not tolerating any deviation from the proper procedure or, God forbid, disrespect (of oneself, the proper procedure, and the three-ring binder).