Disclaimer: I don't own The Host; it's not nice to make Jared kiss Jeb, so on and so forth, blah, blah.

Author's Note: The inspiration for this song came in the form of a Plain White Tees song. More specifically, "Hey There Delilah". I love that song. Delilah was an Olympic runner that Tom met and fell in love with. When she told him she had a boyfriend, he still wrote a song for her. It's such a sweet song. I feel like crying when I listen to it. Give it a listen yourself sometime.

The Perfect Tune: A Burns Story

Chapter 4: Smooth Chords and Old Strings

Burns POV

Wanda tiptoed off into the hallway. I silently thanked her, turning back to Rains. She looked happy, being with me. I was happy with her too. She was like my own personal star, lighting my way.

I felt as though I was truly in love with her. Even though I just met her, it was as though I knew everything about her. Maybe she was my destiny. Maybe I had met my perfect match.

Rains laughed. "Very inconspicuous, Wanda."

I laughed with her, sitting down next to her on the bed.

"So Burns, Wanda tells me you are a musician?"

"Acoustic. What kind of music do you enjoy?"

She smiled. I didn't like her smile. It was ridden with sadness. "I can't recall any of my host's memories of music. Her parents were deaf, so they didn't spend much money on CD's or musical instruments. They did immerse me in music though, trying to make up for being deaf, I suppose. But I can't remember."

I put a hand on her shoulder. Her story was so touching. I wonder what it would be like, to live without music.

An idea hit me. I could be her music. I'd sing for her forever, if that would make her happy.

"Be right back," I said, running over to Nate's room. I grabbed my guitar, kissing it for luck.

My host never named his guitar. He promised himself he would name it after the girl he loved. I dedicated myself to that promise, calling it "guitar" all this time. Now I could call it something: Rains.

I ran back to Lily's room, where Rains was waiting patiently. She grinned genuinely at the sight of the guitar, reaching over. I handed it over, smiling. She ran her hands over the strings. My fingertips tingled, thinking of her hands on mine.

"It's beautiful," she whispered.

"It sounds even better."

She looked up. "Can you play something for me?"

"I'd love to," I replied, sitting down. She gave me the guitar.

I played my favorite song. I loved the sincerity of the lyrics. It felt different, singing the song now. I was able to fill in the blanks, know who I was singing about.

Rains gasped, smiling.

"It's beautiful," she repeated.

I smiled as she laid her head on my shoulder. Her hair felt soft on my skin. I wished I could just sit there forever, playing my guitar with the woman I loved.

An hour passed. After I'd finished all my songs for her, we just talked. I learned so much about her from thirty minutes of small-talk. What she liked, what she didn't, the way she crinkled her nose when she laughed.

I yawned. "It's getting late."

"Can you stay here?" Rains asked. "You can sleep here, on my bed. Lily's staying with Candy tonight."

"Oh no, I couldn't impose," I said, grinning sheepishly.

"Please?" She looked up at me with those large, brown eyes.

I sighed. "Okay."

I set my guitar against the wall and laid down against the mattress.

"Goodnight, Burns," Rains whispered, laying her head against my chest.

"Goodnight, Rains," I whispered back, but she was already asleep.

My eyelids drooped, and soon enough, I was asleep.

Rains POV

I woke up a little after three. My head was still on Burns' chest. His heart beat out of tune, like a bird's song. He still lay there, peaceful in sleep.

I loved Burns' singing. It was so meaningful and sincere. Like he was speaking to me. It played over and over in my head as I got up and grabbed my coat, heading to the washroom.

I sat down cross-legged in front of the pool, taking out my cell phone.

That knife wasn't all I took to Arizona.

I flipped open the phone, pressing speed dial one. He picked up on the first ring.

"Rains?"

"Yes, Shards of Ice."

"Good. Did you get the location?"

I bit my lip. "No," I lied. "They sedated me."

He laughed. "The best Seeker in our district sedated? I expected more of you."

I laughed along with him, still uneasy. "I'll do better next time."

"Get the location, and call back soon."

"I will."

"I love you."

I was on the verge of tears. "I love you too."

"Goodbye." He hung up.

I snapped the phone shut, dropping it on the ground. I laid down on the cold rock, and began to cry.

I was torn in half. Part of me wanted to stay here, with Burns. The other part of me wanted to go away from here, with Shards, where I don't have to worry about anything. That's what Shards was to me. My big hero that would take care of everything. Burns was more on my level, a friend that would be there for me.

"I don't know," I said out loud, to no one in particular.

I lied there, motionless for a little over an hour.

"Rains?"

I looked over, finding Jared standing at the river.

"Oh, hi Jared. Sorry, couldn't sleep." I got up, much to the protest of my stiff back.

"What are you doing here?" He walked over and helped me up.

"The sound of water calms me?" I made my words sound like a question.

"Oh. Well you should get back to Burns."

"Right, sorry."

I grabbed my coat and rushed out, grateful to be relieved of the tension in that room.

I considered telling Burns. He'd understand, wouldn't he?

"I'm not ready!" I muttered under my breath.

I crept back into bed. Burns was still out cold. I thought of something: did I love anyone at all?

My host, Cassandra, was a quite stoic person, hardened by her years of silence and empty smiles. I was one in the same.

Burns and Shards were one of the few I had a soft spot for. I reeled through a list of people I could turn to for advice, and it hit me:

Jamie.

Author's Note: Yes, Jamie get's his own line because he's awesome like that. I'm surprised I came up with the whole Seeker thing. I didn't expect this story to become so epic. Please review!

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