[James breathes out a laugh, a wry sounding thing, but sincere enough.]

Especially not to something as dreadfully embarrassing as a plant. [says the man who ran out of the house without looking back

The look on Ian's face makes James feel happy, glad to be able to assist bringing back something that was so precious to him. He revels in the boy's relief, a bit self-indulgently, but hey, he's earned it.

(It reminds him of a time long ago, a lifetime ago, when he helped another young boy of nine years feel glad again, feel something close to happiness, back when he lived in a garden, buried under cool soil.)]

...We should get him back home. I'm sure everyone else will miss him if we don't.