Disclaimer: I don't own it, I just ship it

Warning: AU, strong language, boy x boy pairings, and violence (more so bullying in the beginning)

This was inspired by the manga series Iris Zero, which focuses on the school life of the main characters with super powers (and the token protagonist without powers). I loved that, but wanted to expand on it and see what a world would be filled with people like that. So, while my fic will start out developing characters in the school, it will later branch out to show how society has changed after the Iris has become a common occurrence.

oOo

Welcome to Earth, at the beginning of a new century where everyone has a special ability called an Iris…well, almost everyone.

Lovino angrily made his way down the sidewalk on his way to school. He walked past a group of students chatting about seeing tomorrow's weather forecast (cold and rainy) and which store was currently having a sale (some place called The Shinatty Superstore). Irises were amazing things for people who actually had them. The few people like Lovino who were born without an Iris were called Iris Zeroes and generally looked down on.

For some unexplained reason 60 years ago, people were being born with special abilities. These abilities were centered around a person's eyes and later dubbed Iris. Basically, these Irises added a filter on a person's vision, further enhancing it somehow. It was like putting on contacts that gave you superpowers, only you couldn't take them off or choose what kind you put on.

At first very few were born with the talent, but now 99.9% of all births resulted in a baby with an Iris just as unique as they are. Powers range from seeing what's for dinner to seeing past lives. Lovino's brother, Feliciano, could see the name of the person you care about most floating above your head.

As Romulus Vargas, Lovino and Feliciano's grandfather and current caretaker, was one of the few born with an Iris 60 years ago, having a powerful Iris has always been important to the Vargas family. Lovino could still picture the disappointed faces of his family when it was revealed he lacked one.

"But what do you see, Lovino?"

"What?"

"Words, numbers, pictures, something..." his frustrated father explained. This wasn't supposed to be a bothersome experience. His three year old son was just being difficult again.

Lovino looked at his feet. He wasn't trying to be a bad boy; he just didn't know what all the grown-ups were fussing about. He had already told them about all the people he saw in the room, what color their clothes were, how many were standing versus sitting, and the location of the living room they were occupying. Wasn't that what they meant? That's what he could see. Why were they all getting so angry with him?

"Let Nonno explain it to you, Lovino…" Romulus sat his troubled grandson in his lap. "Your brother sees names above people's heads…what do you see?"

"I…I don't see anything…" Lovino wasn't sure why, but he felt like he was letting everyone down. Why couldn't he see the things everyone else could? Was he being punished? Everyone was staring at him like he was lying or some kind of failure. His eyes filled with tears. "I-I'm sorry, Nonno…I don't see anything…"

Burying that in his mind once more, the brunette turned the corner and took the main walkway leading towards his school. He and his brother went to World Academy, a well-known school where many prominent members of society are made. Romulus had even served as Headmaster there before he retired a few years ago.

Everyone had been so excited for the brothers to begin attending World Academy, until they actually met Lovino the Iris Zero. It wasn't until a year later when Feliciano enrolled that they were able to get excited again and roll out the red carpet for a member of the Vargas family. Feli had enjoyed the star treatment because he loved being the center of attention. Fortunately, his bubbly and friendly personality kept it from going to his head, so while he was tremendously popular, he avoided becoming arrogant and egotistical.

Staff, students, families...everyone loved Feliciano, but Lovino…not so much. Besides social isolation, there's another drawback to being an Iris Zero – idiots believing you to be bad luck or having the curse of sucking away a person's Iris. Lovino had been the target of bullying for many years now…leading to his current motto of "Low Exposure" or living without standing out.

Of course the bullying led to his second motto "Humans are Bastards."

But despite everything, Lovino worked hard to prove he could be just as good as those idiots with Irises. He climbed his way to the top standings of his school, and unlike Yong Soo or the other few who got there by cheating and seeing test scores, he did it all on his own.

This tended to take others by surprise. He was an Iris Zero, after all. Nobody had any expectations, never mind high expectations of the moody Italian.

oOo

Alfred had been looking for days to find the person qualified to be next Student Council President. So far, he had about as much luck as Superman appearing in the next Avengers movie. He had even been given a pass out of class for the last two days to wander in and out of every classroom to see each student, but only saw rooms filled with floating X's.

Since this was getting him nowhere, he started looking for the person who could help him find the next Student Council President. He had hoped this would be easier, but was still having no luck…and then he saw him.

From his seat inside the bus, Alfred saw a tall brunette wearing a World Academy uniform and the scowl to end all scowls. He had an unusual curl bobbing slightly with the boy's walking pace. In a sea of X's, he was the only one with an O floating above his head.

"I finally found you!" Alfred grinned, pressing his hands to the window. Unfortunately, the bus had other ideas and kept moving farther and farther away from the brown-haired boy. Alfred's eyes widened. He started knocking furiously on the plexiglass, trying to get the other's attention.

"Wait! Wait! Over here!" he shouted in vain. The scowling boy continued walking on without a care in the world. When he squinted, Alfred saw a set of red earbuds in the boy's ears. No wonder he didn't respond to him at all! Maybe if he shouted even louder...

"Keep it down, wanker!" a familiar voice growled at him, kicking the back of Alfred's seat to send him the message. "It's too early for this shite!"

But Alfred paid him no mind. Due to growing up with the moody Brit, Arthur's nagging/scolding voice had become white noise to him. Alfred didn't have time for lectures; he had to handle this new situation in the most mature and heroic way possible.

"Stop the bus! Stop the bus!" he shouted, leaping out of his seat and waving his arms at the bus driver.

Startled by a student suddenly jumping around and flailing his arms, the driver slammed on the brakes, launching Alfred forward to the front of the bus. The blonde regained his balance, quickly smiled apologetically and explained it was urgent hero business (earning a few groans from the other riders). By the time he practically jumped out of the bus, he'd lost his target.

Alfred looked around but couldn't find the qualified person in the sea of World Academy uniforms and unique haircuts. He squeezed his eyes shut to focus.

"Think, Alfred, think…you can do this…he goes to our school, so we must know him…"

People passed him by, sending him odd looks. Nobody had the heart to tell him that his thinking voice had become his speaking voice again. The American was eccentric to begin with and when he entered his "Mind Palace" his weirdness doubled.

"Okay…he's a guy…tan, brunette, hair curl…" Alfred rattled off, realizing those were all traits shared by Feliciano Vargas, from his own class. "He's gotta be Feli's older brother…what was his name…? Leo…Lucio…Loki…Lovi! Lovino Vargas!"

He resisted the urge to give himself a self-five. Watching all those episodes of Sherlock with his brother must be paying off, after all! The hero ran past the other students, forming a new question in his mind.

Who is in Lovino Vargas's homeroom?

Several X's sprung up around him, but he passed two O's, one of whom he knew.

"Tino! Who's your homeroom teacher?"

"Professor Zwingli. Why?" the shorter blonde asked.

"Thanks, man!" Alfred continued running by.

"No problem…?"

"Wh't a str'nge guy…" Berwald commented beside Tino.

After some more running (and waving apologetically to some teachers), Alfred finally tracked Lovino's homeroom down. He took a moment to catch his breath and entered excitedly. Several students noticed the popular sophomore walk in and asked what was going on. Alfred ignored them all and walked over to Lovino, taking his hand.

"Lovino Vargas! Please go out with me!"

Lovino was speechless for a moment. This lasted until he suddenly became hyper-aware of all the people staring at him, the five shades of red his face had turned, and the idiot who still was holding his hand like some kind of a lifeline. He felt like he wanted to die.

"C-Chigi!" was all he shouted and he bailed from the room.

He was sure there was a misunderstanding somewhere – a giant, colossal misunderstanding – but he was too embarrassed to find it at the moment, he just had to get far away from the scene. Briefly, he wondered how he was going to face his homeroom class tomorrow, but that's not important now. Nothing could faze him at the moment, so he wasn't even surprised when Alfred sat beside him on a bench outside with a can of soda.

"Why the hell are you following me around, bastard?" he snarled, but took the offered drink.

"So did you come up with an answer to my offer?" Alfred smiled brightly, not the least bit offended. He grew up with Arthur Kirkland, Tsundere was like a second language to him.

"Eh? You were serious?"

"Yeah! Please go out with me, so we can look for the next Student Council President!"

"Th-That's what you meant?!" Lovino heated up again, although he wasn't sure whether to be relieved or offended.

"I don't think we've been formally introduced!" the blonde grinned. "I'm Alfred F. Jones, the Hero of World Academy!"

"Yes, I know who you are, idiot," replied the annoyed Italian. He sighed as an unaffected Alfred watched him expectantly, bright blue eyes shining with excitement.

"…"

"Lovino Vargas. Charmed," he finally responded in a frustrated tone, dripping with sarcasm.

"Nice t'meetcha, Lovino!"

"You mind telling me what this is all about or do you normally like to drop in on other classes to harass people?"

"Well, my Iris lets me see 'those who are qualified.'" Alfred pointed to his eyes proudly. "Because of that, I've been chosen to pick staff and other officials tons of times."

"Good for you," Lovino rolled his eyes.

"But this year, I haven't been able to find 'the person qualified' to be the Student Council President…" the hero admitted, a little downcast. "I tried everything, dude, but all I can see are X's all around."

"That makes no sense."

"I know; this has never happened to me before…"

"No, I mean you make no sense!" clarified the brunette. "If you only see qualified people, why are you wasting your time talking to me?"

"Because you're the O!" Alfred cheered.

"…What?" Lovino asked, thinking his Iris has more to do with playing tic-tac-toe than qualifications. Then again, the X's and O's might symbolize 'not qualified' and 'qualified.'

Alfred confirmed this by making a circular shape with his fingers and peeking through it at the boy beside him.

"I see O's over people's heads when they're qualified for something. Since I couldn't find the Student Council President, I started looking for the person qualified to help me…"

"Don't tell me…"

"And that's you, partner!" Alfred raised his soda can as if he was giving a toast.

"I see," Lovino cringed, letting the water forming on his own can to trickle over his hand.

"Why do you look so bummed?" Alfred asked, a little concerned. Then, as if he had an epiphany, he grabbed the Italian's hand again. "Oh! You're worried that our huge mission might be impossible if I haven't managed to complete it yet… Don't worry, Lovino! We can do it if we work together!"

"I can't tell if you're arrogant or ignorant…" the tsundere pulled his hand out of the crazy blonde's grasp.

"Then…you won't help me…?" the American slumped back onto the bench and flashed his sad, puppy eyes.

"I…uh…" Lovino was caught off-guard that the optimistic boy could look so damned sad.

Before he could respond properly, Lovino caught a glimpse of something from above. Instinctively, he shoved Alfred away from it, but Alfred's own reaction caused him to grab onto Lovino, leading to both taking a tumble off the bench. Not a second later, a flowerpot crashed onto the bench where Alfred had been sitting. The embarrassed tsundere landed on Alfred's chest and quickly scrambled off. Undaunted, the hero offered him a hand up. Lovino reluctantly accepted it as he looked up. He didn't see anything from the roof or building, but he had a fairly good idea about what happened.

"Wow! How weird is it for a flower pot to fall from a window on this exact bench!" commented Alfred. "Good thing you were looking out for me, Lovi! That was dangerous…I wonder where it came from…"

"Sorry, but your expectations were way off…" Lovino stepped away from Alfred to give some distance.

"Why?" Alfred asked, confused.

"I don't have an Iris," he mirrored the blonde's earlier gesture of pointing to his eyes.

"Really?" Alfred tilted his head and leaned in to examine Lovino's eyes.

"It's not like there's a neon sign on them, bastard!" the tsundere blushed and shoved him back.

"I never would have guessed!" the American whistled in a low tone. "I mean, you're so smart and all…"

"That's got nothing to do with it!" Lovino snarled and stormed off. "Just stay the hell away from me!"

Alfred just blinked and watched the brunette take off in confusion.

"Was it something I said…?"

oOo

By some sort of miracle, Lovino managed to survive until lunch with few difficulties. A couple extra dirty looks and snickering, but nothing out of the ordinary. He returned the angry looks in kind and continued on his way, grateful none of the other students had gotten physical yet. The weather was nice today, so Lovino made his way to the rooftop to eat. It was supposed to be restricted to students, but he hadn't been caught yet. That combined with his presence tended to make others avoid the spot…most of the time. He pulled out his lunch sack. Feli had made pasta again (no surprise there), so Lovino took out the plastic fork and got ready to dig in.

"Loooooovi~!" called out a ridiculously cheery voice.

He resisted the urge to bury his face in his hands as his over-excited, Spanish cousin made his way over to the sunny tile Lovino was occupying.

"What do you want, Antonio?"

"Aww, I just came to see how my favorite henchman was doing…" he pouted.

"Knock it off, we're not kids anymore," Lovino growled, referring to back in the day when Antonio used his status as 'older cousin' to get the Vargas brothers to call him 'Boss' so he could call them his henchmen. Being slow in the head (or possibly sentimental), the Spaniard still insisted on using the nicknames ten years later.

"Oh?" Antonio's eyes glinted mischievously. "Then I suppose you don't want the extra churros my mom packed me for lunch…"

"Huh? I never said that!" the shorter brunette huffed. His aunt made the best damn churros in town.

"Well, I know they were your favorite snack when you were a kid, so I guess you wouldn't want them now that you're old and mature…"

"If you don't hand them over right now, I swear to god I will beat you within an inch of your life with this damned plastic fork…"

Antonio laughed and tossed the sugary snack in his cousin's direction.

"I couldn't have that, or I wouldn't be able to meet your new friend."

"New friend?"

"Word is that Alfred Jones asked you out right in the middle of homeroom."

"Hell no!" Lovino nearly choked on his churro. "That's not it at all! He's just some idiot who burst into my class and made the mistake of talking to me."

"It's not a bad thing to talk to you, Lovi…" Antonio's expression softened, all traces of teasing gone.

"I told you not to call me that," the Italian pointed his churro at him accusingly. This fell on deaf ears.

"I love talking with you and if Alfred is half as friendly as people claim he is, I'm sure he liked talking with you too," the upperclassman nodded. "Come to think of it, isn't he the first person since Feli and I…?"

Lovino shot him an angry glare.

"Someone who spoke to you normally after finding out you don't have an Iris?" Antonio finished his thought.

"You and my stupid brother are family. You're stuck with me."

"So are you saying he has a choice?"

"He just wants something from me, then he'll be throw me away like the others. You'll see."

Antonio hummed at this and the two went back to eating their lunch. They changed topics every few minutes (Antonio had the attention span of a fly on speed), but Lovino's brain kept thinking back to his earlier encounter with Alfred. He felt like a broken record. He needed to fix himself before lunch was over and he had to face the rest of his day. If people were already mistaking Alfred's statement as asking him out, he would be in trouble. Alfred might be too.

Stop thinking about it, dammit...He's just like all the rest...He'll get what he needs from me and then go back to pretending I don't exist...

Little did Lovino know how very wrong he was.

oOo

A/N – Hope you liked the first chapter! I was a little reluctant to post it since I have several other fics in the works as well, but this chapter was just sitting around, mostly finished on my computer just waiting to be posted…so here you go!

There will be more characters and abilities revealed in the next chapter! Some powers I borrowed from the manga that inspired this fic and some I made up. For a few, I looked on my phone and asked "Do I have an app for that?" XD

-Rajikka

Translations

Fratello – Brother (It.)

Tsundere – A type of character seen in anime or manga known for appearing cold or hostile, but having a hidden sweet side. "Tsun Tsun" is the aloof or irritable side, while "Dere Dere" is the lovey dovey side. (Jp.)

Churros – Cinnamon sugar-coated crack. Okay, not really, but I dare you to eat just one. Some people call them "Spanish Doughnuts" since they're basically a fried dough pastry.