How is it breaking heteronormative norms if they're confined to rigid roles as top and bottom? Oh cause alpha is supposed to "top" but now he bottoms?
Yes exactly that, it’s cool to see the dominator get dominated
usually the more feminine or softer presenting one is expected to bottom in queer stories. it was also mentioned here in the story by the alpha that the beta is pretty so he would be expected to bottom. gender expression should be separate from their role in the relationship, just because one wants to present as more feminine or soft doesn't mean they are a bottom and vice versa. going through numerous bl stories myself it is common that the smaller, softer or more feminine presenting one is a bot. its refreshing to see stories that tear down this perspective is what i mean. and what i mean by heteronormative roles is the way that the more feminine looking one bottoms or is cared for like in straight relationships with a female and man. it is often that they make bottoms have feminine traits to emulate a female and the top more masculine traits to emulate a male. i hope this answers!
IM SORRY, DONT SWITCH! I LOVE THE DYNAMIC AND I BELIEVE THAT THIS IS THE STEP TOWARDS 2ND MC FINALLY HEALING FROM HIS OLD AND DESTRUCTIVE GENDER PERSPECTIVE. i honestly find the 2nd couple more interesting than the first. i love how they break the heteronormative norms in most bl's