The name of his brother was just on the tip of Panda's tongu

The name of his brother was just on the tip of Panda's tongue. The dark room was... quiet from all except the gentle hum of the air conditioner and of course, Grizz's snoring. Panda rested his paw against the center of Grizz's chest and felt his mouth tense. He felt nervous and uncomfortable with his legs sticking out from the covers, of which Grizz had managed to steal in the night by tossing and turning so much, so he ended up curled up with his knees jamming into Grizz's belly. Grizz was still sound asleep though.

Panda couldn't remember the dream, only how it made him feel. Anxious, scared, upset, any word to describe the chill still lingering on his spine was fine. Grizz was right here with him but he wanted more. He wanted Grizz to hug him and talk to him because right now he was... scared, shamefully so. Yet still, the words were trapped behind his teeth that he was unable to pry open.

"Mmm," Panda whined, burying his face gently into Grizz's chest. He ignored the fear that it might stirr his brother, and then worried if he would be annoyed if he was woken up. Still, Panda could feel his pounding heart.

Suddenly a weight fell on him. Grizz turned over slightly, his arm wrapping over Panda and pulling him closer as a gentle groan escaped Grizz's lips.

"Pan Pan?" The half asleep voice mumbled, a muzzle burying into Panda's neck. "You... you alright, buddy?"

He sounded dazed, and Panda still help his tongue.

"Y-Yeah," Panda stuttered gently as he scooted closer into Grizz's tired hug. "Just... just a weird dream, is all."

"Just... just a weird dream, is all."
"Ha, yeah, I understand," Grizz said groggily as he drifted back to sleep, "mine can be..pretty...weird....too."

The transition was imperceptible and Grizz quickly knew he was in a familiar room. Indeed, there was no problem in him believing to have always been in this room and that this was completely normal. Sitting at his table, and waiting. But what was he waiting for? He watched his candle flicker as time seemed to stretch.

After an eternity, but strangely without feeling long at all, a rapping at his door began. He waited for it to stop, but still it went on. Having decided he had waited long enough, Grizz prepared to speak and the rapping ceased. And yet, when he tried to call out to the noise he could not muster but a whisper. However, his muted reply was answered with the creaking of his wooden door. And a familiar face.

".ooƚ uoy ɘvɒɘl lliw yɘHƚ nooƨ ,won ǫnol ɘd ƚ'now ƚI"

Try as Grizz might, he couldn't quite hear what was being said.
He looked to his candle, but the darkness was encroaching.
The creaking of his door became a steady rhythm.
Everything was black but the noise remained.
He turned over and hit the alarm.

Grizz yawned and wiped the tears from his eyes.
He looked at his wet paw quizzically.
The memories from his dream had already faded fast.
But he remembered something about a talking candle and laughed.

"Hey Pan Pan," Grizz whispered, "I had the weirdest dream."