Nightmare

His brown eyes flew open, and he gasped for air -- again. As his racing heart slowly calmed, he cautiously rolled his eyes her way.
She nuzzled his neck. "Yes, I'm awake."
"Sorry." He nuzzled back.
She drew closer. "I always wake up, at least by the tail-end."
Still shaking off the image lingering behind his eyes, he felt words escaping slowly, like sap in Autumn's chill. "...sorry?"
"I'm sorry for you, love. It happens so often. Was it the same?"
"Yes. I kneel on his chest. He reeks of fear. Sometimes I hear a rib snap, but he just grimaces and whimpers."
"It's not real."
"I know. Still, his agony...poor man!"
"Poor you! Sleep, love..."

* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

His green eyes flew open, and he clutched his chest reflexively. "Not again, dammit! The same dream...I don't even like horses!"
She groaned. "From now, I'm wearing bubble-wrap undies..."