>>545264639
Yeah, I've come to believe that the alpha top Shadow stuff is really just taking Shadow’s surface-level behavior at face value. He's badass, he's self-sufficient, he's powerful, he's confident in his abilities. Those are all true, and they're stereotypical things that you would usually associate with a top.
What people tend to miss is that Shadow was *forced* to become that way. Virtually everyone he knew died, and villains tried to use him to betray Maria's wish. He had no choice but to seize control of himself and to carve his own path through sheer force of will. Pull himself up by the bootstraps, as it were.
But what if Shadow was given a choice? What is it that his heart truly longs for? When he allows himself to fantasize, he envisions the bliss of falling asleep beside someone he trusts, someone who will watch over him, tucking him in safely under a warm blanket. That’s where Shadow would be most at peace, most comfortable in life. He wants to be vulnerable without fear. He wants to reveal himself to someone without the threat of betrayal or exploitation. He wants to be taken care of. His competency and confidence is a shield forged from necessity.
To play the devil's advocate, it's possible that if Shadow were to hook up with someone he didn't fully trust, he would be dominant/top. Not because he enjoys control more, but because his vulnerability isn't something he just gives out to anyone. Perhaps, in that situation, one could work their way up to Shadow laying bare the desires of his heart.

TL;DR: the porn on rule34 is ooc