#I think if Munakata doesn't notice even Fushimi himself would be unaware

[ridiasfangirlings]

Reisaru AU perhaps where Fushimi discovers that the way he acts is all just a ruse to keep Munakata close to him. Getting himself into danger, being sulky, overworking himself, having anxiety about feelings, it's just his way of making sure Munakata never leaves him. How do these two come to understand each other or clear the air even if it seems manipulative on Fushimi's part?

I wonder if this is then unintentional on Fushimi's part,which is also why Munakata never became aware of it himself despite being so perceptive – if it's to the point that even Fushimi hasn't figured out the level to which his personality is something of a defense mechanism against losing Munakata then even Munakata might not realize it. Imagine this in particular post-ROK and that's when Fushimi really starts to figure it out himself, like for the most part he's trying to heal and become better but imagine he's still got this tendency to overwork and be sulky in front of Munakata, he's still going out alone a lot and returning to Munakata's office with injuries so that Munakata has to fuss over him. At some point Fushimi can't help but notice that he's gotten better when dealing with Yata and with the alphabet squad and with basically everyone else but Munakata, like the worst parts of him are still so clear when Munakata's there. This initially makes Fushimi question himself, like he's started to think of S4 as the place he belongs and even Munakata being his King, yet he can't seem to move forward with his own emotions and well-being when Munakata's there.

Imagine Munakata notices that Fushimi's seemed off kilter lately and decides to ask him what's wrong directly, Fushimi clicks his tongue and shrugs and says nothing. Now that Fushimi's become aware of his own behavior though Munakata is able to see through it more too, and he notes that clearly there is 'something' rather than 'nothing.' Fushimi mutters that Munakata's being annoying again, starting to fall into old habits, and then he stops and says maybe this is no good after all. Munakata says isn't he the one who always told Fushimi that if something displeases him about the world to change it, Fushimi says what if he isn't capable of change. Munakata considers that and then asks if Fushimi wants to change, and Fushimi says of course – but he pauses, and Munakata sees it. Finally Fushimi sighs and wonders if Munakata would still have use for him, if Fushimi changed into someone else.

Munakata says that regardless of how Fushimi changes Munakata's feelings for him are a thing that will never change and Fushimi presses him on that, bitterly, like what if I've been putting up a front all this time, what if I've been doing things to make sure you never leave – it's the same as Yata all over again, in a different way, and he's finally noticed it. Munakata asks if this front was deliberate, or malicious, and Fushimi asks if it matters. Munakata says of course it does – even if such a thing was manipulation, it was a manipulation Fushimi himself wasn't even aware of, and in that sense doesn't that turn things around to making them true. And now that Fushimi has become aware perhaps together they can change things, to create a new understanding. Fushimi grumbles that Munakata is still thinking too highly of him, like this would be easier if you would just get angry, and Munakata chuckles as he says he's afraid that isn't in his nature, Fushimi is too important a person for him to get angry at such a small thing that they have already begun to solve.