AU: There was nothing more terrifying than a defective Gem, especially a defective Pearl. And no one was more scared of her than Blue Pearl, who was perfect. When Blue Diamond's army kidnapped Rose's Pearl for ransom, Blue Pearl is ordered to watch the defective Gem. The Pearl was dangerous, blunt, and everything Pearls weren't supposed to be. But maybe that wasn't a bad thing.

This tale chronicling the life of Team Magma's leader, Maxie Matsubusa, begins as he leaves home for college, where he finds a best friend in roommate Archie Aogiri. As time passes, Maxie falls in love, experiences unendurable tragedy, and watches himself grow older as a selfish war rages on, threatening to transform his very self.