Soft snowflakes fell atop his body, only illuminated by the dim light of the moon. Anton didn’t mind, he was content lying on the bench, looking up at the fifth floor of the apartment building beside him. The moon was right above the window he was peering at, almost like it was touching it. He could see his breath above him as he chuckled. Anyone who saw him would think he’s insane, but it’s not like he cared what others thought. Besides, his beloved Kirill was right there, sleeping peacefully on this snowy night. And he loved that man. Even when he was taking a nap after he worked overtime again. It didn't bother him in the slightest, he couldn’t be happier just watching from the ground.

Kirill was a blessing to him, the muse he prayed for when he just started painting. The little creases in his eyes when he smiled, the way his glasses fogged up in the harsh Moscow winters, the soft sound of his voice in the early mornings and his small fingers threaded through his own. Anton could never capture him fully in his art, but he didn't mind. He didn't need a perfect depiction on a canvas or even a photograph to remind himself how much he adored Kirill.

As his train of thought continued to wander, Anton heard the familiar rustle of a window opening. In front of him, Kirill stuck his head out to light a cigarette. When the two locked eyes, Anton smiled wider than he did before and stood from the bench, waving at him.

"Are you going to stand out in the cold all night?" Kirill called out, leaning his head onto his hand. Even at this distance, Anton could just see the gentle smile on his lips. He was absolutely entranced.

"Only if my dearest allows me." He teased.

Kirill chuckled before blowing smoke above his head. "I don’t want to be the one explaining how my boyfriend died in the winter."

Anton was laughing, picking up his book bag. "Don’t worry darling, I will become a ghost so I may always watch over you."

A sigh escaped his lips, but Anton noticed the slight twitch of his mouth. "Idiot," was the fond response. Kirill stood straight and turned, but not before motioning him inside. Anton smiled brightly, not taking any time to hurry up the stairs, breathless once he got to the fifth floor. His heartbeat loud in his chest, he had been in his home many times before, yet Kirill could make him feel as if his entire soul was in the palm of his hands. Before he knew it, Kirill opened the door for him, his half-lidded eyes still full of adoration.

"You should really stop coming over so late." Kirill took the bag off of his shoulder, shrugging off his coat before putting a cigarette into his mouth.

He sat at the table, rubbing his cheek gently as he admired the tired Kirill in front of him, noticing his half buttoned shirt and mused up hair. "Another long night at the lab?" Anton asked, watching Kirill put a teapot on the stove.

Kirill groaned, rubbing at his face. "Not long, but stressful." He scoffed, stretching before going to Anton. Without a word, Kirill ruffled his hair gently, leaning down to touch their foreheads together. "I tried calling you, but you didn't answer."

Anton huffed, "I was in the studio all day. Didn't I tell you?" Kirill frowned, cupping his cheek and moving closer. A happy warmth welled in the pit of his stomach. Their lips brushed, ever so slightly, but Kirill pulled away to retrieve the whistling teapot and their two empty cups.

"It doesn't matter." He hummed. Anton closed his eyes, feeling the heat from the steaming cup of tea he received. Even when Kirill was unhappy, Anton couldn't help but watch his every move. Though he was slow from sleepiness and drowsily shuffled, his heart was still beating and his breaths remained heavy. Kirill sat down with him, absently staring out the window.

He sighed, "My mother's been bothering me about marriage again. Said she found another girl for me."

Anton slurped his tea loudly, his heart sinking a bit, despite hearing the same story several times. "And how'd she take being rejected this time?"

"Didn't even get to turn her down, she went off rambling on how I need to give her grandchildren soon." He leaned onto the table, staring out the window once more. He breathed heavily through his nose, grabbing his teacup with both hands, his eyes drifting between the tealeaves in the bottom and outside the window.

Anton pursed his lips and looked down, fidgeting with his hands uncomfortably. "I didn't want to bring it up, but maybe..." He cleared his throat, "I heard that some of the lesbians at the bar want to find a gay man to marry..." He trailed off, finally looking up and seeing how Kirill's face twisted and eyes narrowed. He looked like he wanted to say something, but sighed and simply continued staring out the window.

It had been like this for months, they had tried every loophole around Kirill's strict family that they could, but his parents weren't exactly known to be very accepting of homosexuals, especially those as promiscuous as them. Marriage was the ultimate fix for everything, Kirill said. They could have a house together, or an apartment even, and live their lives in peace.

Kirill suddenly banged on the table, the loud sound making Anton jump. "God damn it." He groaned, throwing his head back with another annoyed huff. "We have no other choice, do we?" Kirill slammed the teacup against the counter. "There's got to be a better solution to this mess. I don't... I don't want to do that to you." Kirill stuttered out his words and shook his head, clenching his fists.

He covered Kirill's fists with his hands, gently threading their fingers together. "Sweetie." Kirill looked away. "Look at me." He paused until Kirill did, his tired brown eyes so soft and beautiful that he couldn't help but place his forehead onto his, taking in the sight of the love of his life. He began whispering to him, slowly rubbing Kirill's clenched fists to make them relax. "I told you. It wouldn't be a bad thing at all. Just a simple ceremony and paper trail, yeah? A small cover to save our hides and nothing more." He brushed some stray strands of hair behind his ear, and pulled him into a hug.

Kirill leaned in, closing his eyes for a moment. "I'll consider it." He mumbled, wrapping his arms around Anton, "But I still don't like the idea."

The two men embraced for a while, the heavy air around them almost suffocating. Finally, Anton let out a small laugh. "At least that'll be one thing your parents will stop complaining about."

"One, and then another will replace that one." Kirill was almost laughing as well, resting his head on Anton's shoulder, inhaling the smell of paint on his lover's shirt. "Will you stay the night?" He asked quietly, as if expecting Anton to refuse.

His arms tightened, as did the pressure on his chest. Kirill was his own universe and there wasn't anything he wanted more in his lifetime. But there's still some doubt that crept through his body at his question. No matter how hard he tried, it was a fact that no amount of reassurances, kind touches and hushed promises could get rid of it. Anton shook his head, "Of course I will, silly." He smiled, reaching up and slowly removing Kirill's glasses. He was beautiful, even after a long day of work and stress. "Come on."

The bed was big enough for both of them, yet Kirill decided to lean close enough to press his forehead against Anton's chest. The younger, Anton, could tell how tired his beloved was just by the sag of his shoulders, so he simply held him in a gentle embrace.

"I really did have a stressful day..." Kirill admitted, nuzzling his lover's neck with the barest of kisses, "We were running low on supplies, and one of the interns got into an accident. I was nearly blamed for the incident."

Anton nodded, giving a small chuckle at his own thought, "I'm telling you, your boss has a crush on you. He probably wanted a reason to yell at you."

"Anton." His tone was flat and annoyed.

He laughed and pecked Kirill's forehead, smiling, "Just think about it. The man dresses well, doesn't have a wife and keeps giving you ridiculous tasks. He's totally into you." Anton swore he could hear the eye roll when Kirill buried his head further against his collarbone.

Kirill finally lifted his head and gazed at Anton, placing a tender kiss against his lips, "Maybe I'll leave you for him then, hm? He probably earns more than an artist who draws posters for a living." His eyes were clouded and a languid smile tugged at his mouth.

This was the person that had his heart, every bit of Kirill from his mind to his body. The man who had his very existence intertwined with his and held their entire destiny in his slender hands, and the man whom he loved more than anyone or anything in the world.

Anton gave an amused huff, returning the smile with his own, "He could buy you the entire country of France and I could buy a single macaroon and you'd still choose me, sweetheart." He took the other's chin in his thumb and forefinger, gently rubbing his jawline with his thumb.

Kirill yawned, "Perhaps you're right." He muttered, leaning back onto Anton's chest. "Go to sleep. Oh and buy me a macaroon tomorrow."

Anton stifled a laugh, hugging his beloved. He kept a tender hold onto Kirill's shoulders, kissing the crown of his head as he whispered, "Gladly, darling." And he stayed that way, embracing the sleeping beauty he was so in love with until sleep consumed him.

In the heart of Central Asia, a silent crisis unfolds. An age-old tradition, “ala kachuu,” or bride kidnapping, continues to cast a long shadow over the lives of countless women in Kyrgyzstan.

This deeply rooted practice, steeped in controversy and cultural significance, is more than just a story of individual abductions. It’s a profound societal issue that echoes through generations, with far-reaching consequences for women’s rights, mental health, and societal transformation.

Aizhamal Zhetigenova, the daughter of a kidnapped bride, shared her mother’s harrowing tale.

“My mother was barely 19 when she was snatched off the streets,” said Zhetigenova, her voice echoing the collective agony of thousands of Kyrgyz women. “The pain, the trauma, it never really leaves you.”

Yet, over time, her mother has come to accept her life, woven from the threads of a violent tradition, as an unchangeable reality — a testament to the resilience of the human spirit and the oppressive power of cultural norms.

Bride kidnapping is a phenomenon that is still practiced today. In it, when a man wants to marry a woman, he abducts her and forces her to marry him. In Kyrgyzstan, this typically involves the man’s entire family. They prepare beforehand and kidnap the woman on the day of the wedding. In most cases, the woman is subjected to sexual violence that is perpetuated not only by the man but often encouraged by his family.

Bride kidnapping is not just a cultural anomaly; it is a complex socio-psychological issue that ripples through the entire fabric of Kyrgyz society. Research by Human Rights Watch into this practice reveals a chilling reality: an estimated 30 percent of all marriages in Kyrgyzstan result from non-consensual abductions. The victims are left grappling with a lifetime of trauma, their voices drowned in a sea of societal norms and expectations.

The story of Aizada Kanatbekova, a 27-year-old woman who was kidnapped and later found murdered in April 2021, serves as a tragic reminder of the urgency and severity of this issue. Her death sparked national outrage and protests, drawing international attention to the issue of bride kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan. Despite the outcry and subsequent arrest of several individuals involved in her case, the practice continues largely unabated, highlighting the deeply entrenched nature of this issue in Kyrgyz society. It is a grim testament to the scale and pervasiveness of the problem that despite the global spotlight on her case, many more women continue to suffer in silence, their stories untold and their pleas for help unheard.

The American embassy in Kyrgyzstan has taken notice of this alarming trend and has supported protests to get justice for Aizada. As they said to 24.kg in 2021, “We stand in solidarity with those, here and globally, who works to build a future free from gender violence.” They have long been clear on their stance and have worked to support those fighting for the rights of women in the country.

The United Nations has repeatedly condemned bride kidnapping in Kyrgyzstan, citing it as a violation of basic human rights. The UN Committee on the Elimination of Discrimination against Women (CEDAW) has urged Kyrgyzstan to take concrete steps to eradicate the practice and provide support for victims. However, progress has been slow and inconsistent, with cultural norms and societal attitudes proving to be formidable barriers to change.

Statistics from NGOs like Human Rights Watch further highlight the magnitude of the problem. According to HRW, 30 percent of all marriages end up in bridge kidnapping, with up to 80 percent in more rural areas. The UN has also stated that 13.8 percent of all marriages by happen to women under 24 happened under coercion, with many being child brides.

Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) such as Crisis Center Sezim and Open Line are on the frontline, offering refuge, legal aid, and psychological support to the victims. Open Line has created a mobile game called “Spring in Bishkek” that aims to educate people on the horrors of bride kidnapping by guiding the user through a story about a victim of bride kidnapping. The app has been very successful in its messaging, teaching young girls how to stay safe, but legislation has yet to catch up to the issues presented.

Similar to Ala kachuu in Kyrgyzstan is the practice of forced marriage found in some Mormon fundamentalist communities. One example is the case of a woman back in 2006, who confessed to being forced into marriage at age 14 by Warren Jeffs, of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. In her case, she was quickly married in a motel under the force of Jeffs, before being subject to sexual violence. As uncommon as it seems, bride kidnapping still happens, not only in Central Asia but even in the USA.

Altyn Kapalova, a prominent women’s rights activist and an instrumental figure in researching women’s issues, underscores the need to change the perspective in Kyrgyzstan. “Ala kachuu, the kidnapping of women to marry them, is a crime. But it is veiled as marriage. It is not.” She continues, emphasizing the way women become slaves to their husband, “One of the instruments of control over women is children, which according to an agreement between her parents and her abusers, she should give birth to. The children she gives birth to then become exploited by the slaveowners. They love child labor. Then everything goes in a circle, the girls are sold into slavery and the boys become those who buy them.”

As Kyrgyzstan grapples with this deeply ingrained practice, stories like Zhetigenova’s underscore the urgent need for change. They remind us that behind every statistic is a human being yearning for justice, dignity, and the right to choose their own destiny. As we delve into the shadows of ‘ala kachuu,’ we must remember that the fight against bride kidnapping is not just about eradicating a harmful practice; it’s about reclaiming stolen lives and restoring stolen voices. The path to change is steep and treacherous, but it is a journey that Kyrgyz society must undertake for the sake of its daughters and future generations.

Dr. Stone is a standout addition to the pantheon of science fiction storytelling, an anime that explores what would happen if everything humanity built crumbled beneath us. The series begins with a cataclysmic event that petrifies humanity, leaving protagonist Senku Ishigami and a few others to reawaken in a world reverted to the Stone Age. It’s here that Dr. Stone does more than entertain; it educates, illustrating complex scientific concepts and the process of human innovation in a post-apocalyptic society.

The show excels at making science accessible and exciting. Senku, a prodigious high school student turned de facto scientist of the new world, uses his knowledge to rebuild civilization one invention at a time. Viewers are treated to detailed explanations of processes like creating soap, medicine, and even rudimentary electricity. This educational framework serves not only as a narrative device but also inspires a sense of wonder about the real-world applications of science and technology.

However, Dr. Stone doesn’t just rest on its science lessons. The anime is innovative in its storytelling, blending genres seamlessly. It infuses shounen action with a slice-of-life pacing and humor, all while maintaining a gripping survivalist narrative. The animation, produced by TMS Entertainment, brings this tale to life with vibrant colors and dynamic character designs that capture the imagination.

Yet, for all its scientific rigor and narrative flair, Dr. Stone occasionally sidesteps the larger sociopolitical implications of its premise. The series introduces the idea of what kind of society should be rebuilt — whether to preserve the old world’s status quo or create a new one from scratch. These themes are ripe for exploration but are often left unexamined in favor of advancing the scientific quest. This focus sometimes results in missed opportunities to delve deeper into the ethical dilemmas inherent in rebuilding civilization.

Despite this, Dr. Stone remains a must-watch. It’s a rare gem that entertains and informs, sparking curiosity in its audience about the natural world and our place within it. Its blend of education and entertainment is a testament to the power of anime as a medium for conveying complex ideas. For those looking to be enthralled by a story of human resilience and the triumph of intellect over adversity, Dr. Stone is a perfect choice.

For a comprehensive experience, viewers can find Dr. Stone streaming on platforms such as Crunchyroll and Funimation and can explore the original manga through publishers like Viz Media.