There is mentions and discussions about anxiety/anxiety attacks and unrequited feelings. Please avoid reading any further if these topics are sensitive to you.

⸻⸻ .·:*¨༺ ♛ ♡ ∞ ♡ ♛ ༻¨*:·. ⸻⸻

Saturday brings heavy rain. Wooyoung is isolated within his dorm, laying down on his bed with his head resting into his cold pillow, torso and waist covered in a blanket that has hardly moved. He's barely left his bed since he crawled into its arms late last night, struggling to sleep and even moreso, struggling to stay asleep. He didn't bother to say anything to Seonghwa, claiming that he just needed some time alone the moment he stepped back into his dorm yesterday afternoon.

The remnants of Friday linger in his tortuous mind on repeat, listening to the words he muttered to San over and over again. I need space.

He knew his feelings. He knew what they meant. But what he didn't understand was why they were so overwhelming. It was almost indescribable, something so powerful that Wooyoung has barely spent any time trying to understand. The more time he spent lying in bed, the more time he had to dissect every single thought that came into fruition, hoping to find a light at the end of his mental dark tunnel.

Thunder rattles the dorm's windows, earning a slight glance from Wooyoung as he watches the storm roll through. Heavy rain slides down the pane of his dorm's only windows, rattling with every gust of wind and stroke of nature. Wooyoung wants to run outside and embrace the rain, letting the cold water drip down his face, combing through his hair to hide his true tears that would flood his vision. But he chooses to stay in bed, wrestling with himself, deprived of energy and devoid of hope.

Seonghwa had left almost an hour ago, choosing to spend an afternoon with Hongjoong in the dorm next door, nearly begging his roommate to call him if he needed anything. Wooyoung promised that he would, never yet revealing why he was suddenly in a slump again. Seonghwa knew Wooyoung's tendencies, but this was all abnormal. In the few months the two had been close friends, not one time has Wooyoung ever been so suddenly depressed. Of course, there have been times due to Wooyoung's parents that Seonghwa has seen the younger go through trips of anxiety attacks and overloads of stress, but this all felt like new territory.

Wooyoung's phone was incredibly quiet. He tried to keep it hidden beneath his pillow, ignoring the urge to check social media or to text San, but after every thread of thoughts, the urge follows almost immediately afterwards. But as he crosses onto hour twelve of laying in bed, his body begins to feel restless. He knows he could play a video game and eat something, but the motivation to roll out of bed runs low, and he feels no urgency to eat anything. He rolls over, facing towards the center of the dorm and away from his wall covered in posters and old photos, eyes searching the room for any type of answer. Nothing comes, though. He remains stuck and complacent, chest breathing slowly and eyes reddened with previously shed tears. He was tired. Emotionally, physically; just everything. He just wanted a damn break.

Laying in bed like this didn't feel like a break, so somewhere between ten minutes and lonely thoughts, Wooyoung's legs dragged across his bed, swinging over the edge to place his feet lazily on the floor beneath him. He pushes himself off with his hands, walking into the kitchenette, hands reaching into a cabinet with no intentions of eating anything. Just as he expected, the cabinets were bare, filled with everything except anything to eat. Plates and cups that Seonghwa had brought from his own home sat on the left side of the open cabinet, leaving the right side empty with the lack of food.

Wooyoung sighs, fingers pushing the cabinet closed begrudgingly. He wavers in his stance, glancing towards his front door. He couldn't decide on leaving or staying put, but something about walking in the rain was completely driving his decision. He knew Seonghwa wouldn't be back for at least a couple more hours, leaving him alone in the decision of dinner.

So, with a shrug and one more annoyed sigh, Wooyoung grabs his keys, laces his boots and grabs his hoodie, heading out the front door without another hazardous thought. He almost turns and looks at the dorm just next door, steps guiding him down the hall with his gaze turned towards the floor, listening to his own pace slowly take him towards the staircase. His hands reach for the door, stopping momentarily the second he hears a door down the hall click open. His gaze follows the direction of the noise, jaw taut and shoulders tense, afraid to see a familiar face enter into the hall. But it wasn't San. It was a random student heading out of the dorm just like he was, so he turned away, pushing the door open and heading down the stairs hopelessly. He was vaguely glad that San didn't enter into the hall just then, but somewhere deep inside of him, a part he wishes he could ignore, he did really wish that that person was San.

Rain greets his black hoodie the moment he steps into the outdoors, breathing in the scent of damp grass and puddled streets. Campus seemed quiet this afternoon, likely having something to do with the weather or lack of sporting events for the weekend. Wooyoung didn't mind, the peace of listening to the rain and no cars, loving the heavenly sound of raindrops smacking against the Earth. Hands find his hoodie pocket as he strolls down the sidewalk, fidgeting with his wallet as he walks. He had no idea where he wanted to end up, so he was simply walking aimlessly.

Thunder looms overhead, but it hardly deters Wooyoung from his walk. He's practically emotionless, aiming to ignore all thoughts as they sink into the sewer drain with the overflowing rainwater. Only then does his stomach grumble, which brings him to the conclusion of his meandering.

He eventually finds himself at the chicken place down the street again, hoodie nearly soaked from the downpour of rain he endured just to finally walk here. The door opens with a subtle chime and he greets the store clerk respectfully, putting his hood down and ordering a meal quickly, now standing by the counter as he waits for his order to be completed. The restaurant was dead, vacant of hungry customers as Wooyoung was the only person within the lobby. But as his name is called, he accepts the food hungrily and thankfully, sitting down at a table near the corner, eating in almost complete silence.

He tries not to think into the thought of eating alone, eyes watching his platter of chicken slowly turn into nothing, leaving a plastic basket empty with only grease-lined paper in its wake. Wooyoung isn't sure what he feels just then, confused with a traveling gaze, eyes barely glancing at his phone that rests on the black table with a notification lighting up his screen to his surprise. He wishes he wouldn't pay attention to the notification, catching the faintest glimpse of the name attached to the message that makes his heart flutter. It was San.

Wooyoung's hands reach for his phone timidly, unlocking his screen and opening his messages, watching a simple, short message highlight the bottom of their once active text thread.

San-ah

I hope you're okay.

Wooyoung's heart breaks. Somewhere deeply nestled inside of him does he want to rush back to the dorm and pound on San's door, engulfing the male into a hug that suffocates them both. But he sits there in his lonely diner chair, head tilted down with tears leaving his tired eyes. He doesn't know how to respond to this, eyes shut tightly to avoid more leaking tears in the empty chicken restaurant. He hated how much he's cried in the last few hours, but it all felt ignored and built-up deeply within him. The urge to cry was harder to ignore than his thoughts, so he had no choice than to let the tears flow. In times like this where Wooyoung finds himself at a loss, there is only one conclusion to his problems. Only one way to find himself at complete and utter peace.

He gets rid of his garbage, setting his plastic wear in the empty dish rack, leaving quietly after wiping drying tears from his cheeks. He shoves his hood back over his head, hands finding their way back into his pocket as he rushes through the world with a mission in mind, eyes empty and heart burning. The thoughts were coming back, harder than before, but slowly subsiding by the number. He wanted to take Seonghwa's advice, letting each thought and desire roll through his mind while hearing his own heart's pleas, but he honestly just wanted a moment of silence. This place would give that to him.

He arrives at the studio, hands gripping onto the door as it swings open, feet traveling through the modern hall as they guide him to a familiar studio room. He glances at the board, spotting no signatures on the board as he gleefully walks inside. Hand meets the handle, swinging the door open to reveal a quiet studio with clean mirrors and an empty floor.

"Wooyoung?" A voice travels from behind the desk and the younger's eyes travel in horror to view San rising from the desk chair, eyes blinking in surprise the moment the door is opened.

"Oh shit," Wooyoung's gaze fell immediately, head tilting down to avoid the eyes he wished to see again. "I'm sorry, San'ah. I didn't mean to intrude."

"You're okay. I didn't write my name on the board." San mumbles slightly, taking a few steps away from the desk.

"You really should stop doing that." Wooyoung admits lightly and San half-smiles.

"Did you see my text?"

Wooyoung swallows shyly, gaze tilting back upwards to finally meet San's curious eyes. "Yeah, I did."

"Why are you soaking wet?" San's brow raises slightly and Wooyoung sighs.

"I walked in the rain to get here from the chicken place." Wooyoung can see the shock grow in San's eyes and he hates it.

"Woo, that's a long walk. You could get sick-"

"I'm okay, San'ah. Please." Wooyoung feels guilt painfully pool in his stomach. "Don't worry about me."

San is admittedly hurt by the statement, but he says close to nothing, eyes tilting down as he turns to face the computer wordlessly.

"I can leave you alone. I can go to studio B."

"No, it's okay. I've been here for an hour. You can have the floor." San reaches for his phone, then bends down at his waist to grab his bag, standing still the moment he realizes Wooyoung was staring at him.

"I'm really fucking sorry." Wooyoung's voice breaks slightly.

"I can give you space, Wooyoung. I just really need you to be clear with what you want."

"I just need to think right now. I've been avoiding talking to Hwa and I've just been trying to figure everything out on my own. I don't know how long it's going to take, but I promise I will call you the moment I figure it out." Wooyoung watches San actively avoid his gaze. "Please wait for me."

San wordlessly walks towards the door, passing by Wooyoung and reaching out for the silver door handle. Wooyoung watches him with a breaking heart, but then realizes that San turned towards him, quietly muttering a confession to match Wooyoung's that spilled from his lips not too long ago. "I would always wait for you."

Wooyoung wants to say more, but San leaves before he has the chance.

With that, Wooyoung swallows his tears, shakily breathing through the onslaught of emotions that tremble their way to his tongue. He places his phone and his wallet on the desk shortly after, scrolling through songs that would actively relieve his stress and keep his mind busy, queuing song after song until he loaded enough to keep him engaged for over thirty minutes.

Something in his soul possesses him, glaring at himself within the mirrors as he dances. Hips swaying, body rolling, arms locking and feet moving quickly, all in line with the routine he practiced endlessly. Group after group does he dance, doing his best to quiet the demons within himself, but after the fifth dance he finds himself feeling chained and burdened. He knows what is weighing him down, but he doesn't want to feel this anymore.

He begs for freedom, long lost beyond the grave he dug for himself the moment he let San sit next to him in their shared lecture. He thought he had been honest with himself, but the more the thoughts piled on, the more honesty he came to terms with.

He liked San, that he knew. But what he didn't realize was how badly he wanted him. Day after day he watches Seonghwa fawn over Hongjoong, calling him and texting him all hours of the day, kissing him goodnight and going to class together hand-in-hand. He wanted that, or at least a fraction of it.

He hated knowing that he wanted more from him, but the fear of not knowing what San truly wanted was so much worse. He realized how stupid he had truly been, placing himself with the front of being a cold-hearted and lonely asshole, just to protect his own fragile heart. Mislead, mistreated and unloved, everything Wooyoung had grown incredibly used to feeling. He wanted to avoid feeling this anymore, but memories have a way of plaguing one's soul.

Five years ago, Wooyoung had allowed himself to feel something for someone before. A boy, not much older than him at the time, had taken his heart and held it in his hands lovingly. They occasionally had sex, a casual thing started thanks to the help of shots of soju on a random Friday. The agreement had both parties avoiding feelings, ending with the goal of getting off and being just friends, sneaking away during parties and gatherings, sinfully taking each other's breath away.

The minute Wooyoung let himself feel something other than lust and pleasure, he knew he was in trouble. Two months after their fling started, Wooyoung confessed to what he was feeling, unsure of how his partner would feel. But, there was hope lingering inside of him, wondering if he had felt the same thing. To Wooyoung's dreadful surprise, his feelings were rejected.

He was heartbroken, struggling to cope with the idea of the first boy he ever took a liking to denying him the way he did, coldly and without remorse, leaving little room for rediscussion as they parted ways. Given this wasn't the only thing to change his brain chemistry and shape him into who he was now, but it sure as hell did harden his soul and put walls around his heart.

The last dance ends, leaving Wooyoung sweaty and out of breath, standing center with his head tipped downwards. Every move of every dance left Wooyoung's mind completely silent, and the second the music stopped, one final thought came back irreversibly strong.

He just pushed San away again, but with a guilt-trapped mind and sad eyes staring back at him in the ceiling-high mirrors, he needed San back. He hated how back and forth he felt, mind screaming for silence one second and begging for company the next, somehow convincing himself that he needed space and attention simultaneously. It was confusing, he knew it was. But he knew what he wanted now, more than anything else. San said he'd wait, and Wooyoung just had to hope that he would wait another ten minutes.

Wooyoung shuts down the computer, grabbing his wallet and phone before heading into the hall and racing towards the front door. Hands find the door's handle, pushing it open hurriedly, racing through the pouring rain without another care in the world.

All he wanted was San. He knows this now. He wants his hands in his, he wants to feel San completely, kiss his lips and feel his breath against his own. He wants his nightmares to turn to reality, finally rewriting the vision into something that he can term along the lines with fantasy. He had spent his entire life running away from everything he's ever wanted to do, forced to chase after dreams that were hardly his own. Years and years wishing to have something of his own wants and needs, but always cut short from the pressure of his parents. He couldn't have dance and he couldn't have the family relationship he longed for, but it was about damn time he finally ran towards something to have for himself.

The rain was nearly torrential, soaking his hoodie and hair easily within a minute into his run, steps carrying his anxious body as he got closer to his dorm, rushing towards the minute he could finally see San again.

He swings the door open, running up the stairs carefully, reaching his floor and immediately breaking into the hall with dripping clothes. The hall is empty, only filled with Wooyoung's shaking breaths and shivering body, trembling down the hall as he finds his own dorm door, but passes by to stop at the neighboring door instead. He doesn't know where San is, let alone he isn't even sure where his own roommate is. But he had to try.

He knocks on the door three times, gently and quickly, anxiously waiting for the door to swing open. But it never does. He waits for three minutes, body covered in chills and hands rapidly trying to warm cold arms, anxiously waiting for someone to answer the door. But again, no one ever comes.

After a few more minutes of shivering and waiting, embarrassment floods his core and he opens his own door, nearly slamming it shut the moment he runs inside. The dorm was dark, almost exactly how he had left it an hour ago, every little detail left untouched. Wooyoung's head is spinning, and the only thing he can find himself capable of doing is leaning against the door and letting tears leak from his eyes.

His back slides down the door, ass greeting the cold floor and knees brought to his chest, hands hiding his face almost immediately the moment he gasps for air. He's sobbing, tears acting like a waterfall over his cheeks as he sits there and cries. He knew he needed to be patient with himself, but he also needed to be patient with San. This type of restless patience was incredibly difficult. He was ready to be honest, but only if San would let him.

Four more hours pass. Wooyoung had taken a warm shower before settling into bed, wrapping himself in a tight blanket, hoping to suffocate his mind to peace. Surely enough, he did just that. He fell asleep almost twenty minutes ago, ignoring all interruptions as his phone vibrated on and off with notifications he refused to acknowledge. He was finally in a state of stupor, sleeping comfortably after being so emotionally exhausted and left with nowhere else to run.

But to his own discomfort, the front door opens and the lights turn on, unknowingly disturbing the peace Wooyoung had just drifted into.

"Woo?" Seonghwa asks, setting down his keys and kicking off his boots. "Are you home?"

"Turn off the lights," Wooyoung stirs, pulling the comforter over his head. "Please."

"Oh shit," Seonghwa snaps the lights off quickly. "I'm sorry."

"Just be quiet, hyung. I'm really tired."

"God, and I woke you up?" Seonghwa sighs sadly, walking over to the center of the dorm to look at his friend hiding beneath his blanket. "Rough day?"

"Beyond rough."

"Do you wanna talk about it?"

Wooyoung slowly takes the blanket away from his eyes, glancing tiredly at his roommate. He half expects himself to say no, but for once he changes his own mind and lets surprise words tumble from his tired lips. "Yeah."

Seonghwa's eyes slightly widened in surprise but he remained calm nonetheless. "Alright. What happened?"

"I told San I needed space." Wooyoung sighs, gaze drifting towards the comforter he was messing with between twitching fingers. "I hurt him. Bad. I really needed to think and to be alone, and I didn't know how else to tell him that. He's just so fucking affectionate and kind and caring-"

Seonghwa listens silently, watching Wooyoung's breath catch in his throat. "I couldn't take it anymore. I have so many feelings sitting inside of my heart, and they were all begging to be heard. I finally listened to them and gave in, a-and something inside of me wants San."

"Wants him how?"

"I need him like I need air, Hwa." Wooyoung's fidgeting stops and his eyes turn towards Seonghwa, completely serious and certain. "I've come to terms with how I feel and god, I like him so much. The way I feel about him was so confusing, but everything that was yelling at me all came down to the same thing. I have feelings for him. Ones that I can't control anymore."

"Did you tell him this?"

"No." Wooyoung tugs his blanket closer. "I tried to, but he wasn't home. I'm afraid I hurt his feelings again, even more than I did the first time."

"Joong did say he was going to be late. I wonder where he went," Seonghwa ponders quietly and curiously, leaving Wooyoung to rise from the bed, supporting himself by his elbows.

"So, San never came home?"

"No." Seonghwa raises his brow. "What are you getting at?"

"He left the dance studio a long time ago, Hwa! I've been home for almost five hours."

"Oh," Seonghwa worriedly grabs his phone, pulling up Hongjoong's contact information before calling him quickly. "I wonder if Joong knows. I didn't bother to ask the details, so maybe he knows?"

"What if he doesn't?!"

Suddenly the line stops ringing and a voice comes through. "Hello?"

"Joong'ah-" Seonghwa asks softly, listening to Hongjoong smile through his tone.

"Hi Seonghwa. Did you forget something at my dorm, again?"

"No, not this time. But, hey. . . do you remember mentioning San earlier?"

"Mhm! I said he was going somewhere, didn't I?"

"Well, you said that he was going to be home late. Do you know where he went?"

"No, I don't. Why? What's up?"

"Wooyoung is looking for him. Apparently San left the studio five hours ago and hasn't come home."

"He texted me about an hour ago, so he's okay. I just don't know where he would've went."

"Does he go to the gym usually?"

"Not on the weekends. Usually he's with Woo."

"Any other ideas then?"

"No. I can try calling him, but he doesn't always answer me, especially if he's upset. He has seemed a bit down lately, so it might be best if Woo calls. He will pick up if Woo calls him."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

Wooyoung listens to the call completely, eyes blinking in shock the longer the call drags on. Seonghwa hangs up not too much later, phone dropping to his lap when he settles down on his bed. Wooyoung is mostly silent, staring into his comforter in search of internal answers, but nothing comes.

"Do you want to call him?"

"I don't know." Wooyoung shrugs. "If he wants to be alone, he wants to be alone. Who am I to interrupt when I asked for space and he gave it to me?"

"Maybe he doesn't want to be alone, Woo. Maybe he's waiting for you to call him."

"What if he's not?" Wooyoung mutters.

"He'd answer you regardless." Seonghwa's words seem to hold enough impact, stirring the younger to reach for his phone timidly. He was scared, admittedly worried that San would ignore his call and reject him later on. But he finds the will regardless, dialing the number quickly and listening to the ringing tone fill the void that was previously silent.

"Hello?"

Relief. A thankful wave of pure comfort soaks into his pores the moment he hears San's voice. "San'ah?"

"Hey. I didn't expect you to reach out to me so soon."

"I was worried about you."

"You? Worried about me? How the tables have turned, huh?"

"I know, but Hwa mentioned that you weren't home yet and I was scared."

"I'm okay, Woo. I was just studying in the library. I needed time to think too, actually."

"Think about what?"

"I don't think talking over the phone about that is appropriate right now."

"Sorry I asked."

"No, it's not like that, Woo. I'd just rather talk in person. Only if you're ready to."

"San'ah-"

"I don't want to force your hand here. If you still need space, I get it. I can wait."

"No!" Wooyoung rushes, teeth grabbing onto his bottom lip briefly. "I mean, I'm ready. I wanna talk."

"Are you sure?"

"I want to see you, San'ah."

There's a momentary pause settled in the call, one that sinks into Wooyoung's stomach with a plaguing anxiety. More words he shouldn't have said, more useless confessions stringing through his lips on accident; all because his heart couldn't lie anymore.

"I missed you too. I'll meet you at the dorms in ten, okay?"

"Okay."

The line ends, leaving Wooyoung to drop his phone onto his lap, eyes slowly glancing upwards towards Seonghwa. He isn't sure what to feel exactly, but he feels like he's walking along the line of hope and dread.

"Do you want me to make myself scarce?" Seonghwa asks quietly, but Wooyoung doesn't answer. He's blissfully unaware of what he wants right now, forced to find composure in the fact that he can be open and free of these chains. He was held down, tied to the version of himself he no longer wishes to recognize. He wants to grow, wants to be free; but he wants all of that with San. He doesn't want to be alone anymore, somewhere in the universe he finally finds peace in knowing that all of his pain wasn't for nothing. He wants to be with San, now and in the future, hoping that San felt the same.

"If Joong isn't home, you'll have nowhere to go-"

"I can go read in his dorm, Woo." Seonghwa tries to smile at him, reassuring the sadness that seemed to have his friend by the throat. "Worry about yourself for once. Please. I'll be okay with whatever you want me to do."

Worry about yourself? Wooyoung feels like that's all he's done, but in all of the wrong ways. Time spent ignoring his wishes, always avoiding others and keeping to himself, all for what? It was foolish, he knew that now. But only now, sitting in his bed and looking at his roommate, does he realize that he's never been cold. He's been afraid.

"Stay with me until he gets here." Wooyoung swallows quietly, hands fisting his comforter. "Please."

"Of course, Woo." Seonghwa rises from the mattress, hurrying to plant himself right next to his friend, arms wrapping around the younger's body warmly. "It'll be okay."

Wooyoung hugs him back, head buried in the crook of Seonghwa's neck, hoping, praying; wishing for the peace he so longed for to find him before his anxiety tore him apart.

They sat like that for a long time, long enough for Seonghwa to feel Wooyoung's shaking hands and uneasy breaths. But the more time passes, the more Wooyoung feels the urge to run away. He's scared, terrified even. He knew needed to have the conversation to avoid feeling like this any longer.

Three subtle knocks ring out at the front door, and Wooyoung pulls away from the hug to eye Seonghwa worriedly. Seonghwa nods at him, giving him a soft pat on the back before rising from the mattress, heading towards the front door without another word. Wooyoung watches him, heart sinking the moment he hears San's voice appear on the other side of the door.

"He's on his bed. I'll leave you two alone for a bit." Seonghwa mutters calmly, letting San enter into the dorm while he simultaneously takes his leave.

"Wooyoung?" San's voice beckons the moment the door closes.

"I'm in here, San'ah." Wooyoung's lungs fail him the moment he sees San round the corner, eyes filling with tears the moment San's expression falls.

"Woo-"

"Don't talk." Wooyoung stands from his bed in a rush, wrapping his arms tightly around San's middle back. San hugs him back, arms tight around Wooyoung's torso, doing his best to keep himself from crying.

It was barely twenty four hours since Wooyoung explained that he needed space, but San never forgot the words he said to him. Wooyoung liked him, and not in the way that friends just casually like each other. Wooyoung liked him more than that, in a way that he was struggling to understand but now fully appreciates.

"I needed to talk to you about something." Wooyoung mumbles against San's hoodie, adjusting his head slightly so he could talk more clearly. "I need to explain everything."

"I've got all the time in the world." San mumbles back and Wooyoung barely smiles.

"I'm sorry I've been so closed off. I was having a hard time dealing with everything, and when it felt like everything fell apart, I lost it. I was struggling to keep my composure and to act appropriately, but now I know why I've been so crazy."

"You haven't been crazy, Woo-"

"I have been." Wooyoung pulls away from the hug, eyes gazing right into San's, searching for everything that San held in his expression. "I'm sorry. I've been an asshole, a fool, and a liar. My past had a chokehold on me, but now I feel like I can breathe."

San blinks a few times as he listens to Wooyoung's honest truth, hands softly settling on Wooyoung's waist carefully. Wooyoung doesn't bother to push his hands away. "I meant what I said the other day. About liking you. I meant every word."

Wooyoung waits for the rejection, something he's been so used to, but San's eyes hold nothing close to that. He isn't exactly unreadable, but Wooyoung felt like he couldn't gauge an exact idea of how the elder truly felt.

"I like you so much that I thought I was drowning. I didn't understand it at first, avoiding thinking about everything until it just spilled over. But the last two days have been more eye-opening than anything I've ever experienced. I hate that I'm ruining our friendship, San'ah, but I can't ignore what I feel anymore."

"You're not ruining anything." San interrupts lightly, but Wooyoung shakes his head.

"I am. I never meant for this to happen. I don't get attached to people and I don't get crushes on anyone, but this is different and caught me so off-guard. I'm sorry I ruined everything, San. I didn't want this to happen-"

San cuts Wooyoung off and presses close, kissing the words away from Wooyoung's lips.