The Playlist has been updated for this chapter listen at youtube dot com slash playlist?list= PLWN8Uu8V5RChvSaDEQglOmBy_l1hkfnm8
Rating is still T but there is a bit of strong language in this one.

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After posting the link to his new video Killian pays extra attention to his comment feed. The anticipation of seeing Swan's response almost killing him. After almost a week he gives up hope and is a little disappointed that he didn't get the satisfaction of seeing more outrage. For the next few days work and songwriting consume his time and he doesn't get the chance to check his channel. When he finally jumps on to upload his latest video he does a double take. "3,587 subscribers" is blazoned on the top of his screen.

"That can't be right." he mutters.

"What's that little brother?" Liam asks as he enters the room.

"Nothing. It's just my Youtube channel. I've gained over three thousand new subscribers in the last couple days."

"Seriously? How did that happen?"

"I don't know." Killian runs his hand through his hair and continues clicking through his profile. " Scratch that. These followers are from the last couple HOURS! I have five hundred new comments!"

Liam chuckles at the near panic in Killian's voice. "Those will take all night to answer."

Killian nods but clicks into the comments anyway. They are all on his "Blurred Line's" video, which now also has a ridiculous number of views. He scans a few quickly.

"Ugly Duckling brought me here!"

"I agree with everything Ugly Duckling said but I can't stop watching your videos!"

"he is what I call 'adorable sexy' and talented!"

"thanks Ugly Duckling for ruining my life"

"Who is Ugly Duckling?" Liam asks as he leans over the back of the couch, reading some of the comments.

Killian shakes his head in shock. "She's that American lass. Remember she does those self-defense videos?"

"The one you have a crush on?" Liam asks with a wink before jumping over the back of the couch and landing on the cushions beside him.

Killian flushes; he was hoping his brother wouldn't remember. It was true that after he discovered Ugly Duckling five months ago he had watched every video that she had made. He had learned that her name was Emma, that she had grown up in foster care, that she wanted to be a detective, and a hundred other personal tidbits. It was true that he found her attractive and intelligent and fiery and kind and just bloody brilliant. It was also true that he had never met her in real life and had never imagined she would acknowledge his existence.

"It's not a crush brother. I don't even know her. I just like her videos." Killian avoids making eye contact.

Liam rolls his eyes "Sure brother. Remind me again what the fuss is about?"

Killian types "ugly duckling pinky" into the search bar. After a few seconds the results populate. The video he wants is at the top. "Here. Watch this." The video starts with Emma talking into the camera. She is stunning; bright green eyes, an adorable smattering of freckles, and a mischievous tilt to her mouth.

"Hey guys. Welcome to another installment of "Easy Self-Defense". Today I am going to show you a simple trick to breaking a grip. Remember if things get hinky, It's all about the pinky" She smiles a wicked smile and Killian grins because he knows she is about to inflict some pain. "Neal here is going to help me out." The camera zooms out and a brown haired guy with a scruffy goatee walks out from behind the camera. He waves uncomfortably. Neal was Emma's boyfriend and used to appear very regularly in her videos. Although Killian had happily noted that he had disappeared in the last year. She walks up to Neal and the demonstration begins. The Jones brothers watch as she explains how to twist and yank a pinky to inflict maximum damage. Like all her videos it is hilarious and informative. They both laugh out loud as Neal winces and yelps in mock pain and Emma huffs and rolls her eyes at his squirming. At the end she returns to the camera, summarizing the technique with a grin before signing off.

"Thanks for watching! And don't forget to thank Neal in the comments for being such a wonderful attacker." The screen goes black before flooding with suggested videos, all of them featuring her face.

"A tough lass." Liam remarks.

"Aye. And she has half a million subscribers."

"Click on her profile." Killian complies and her latest video begins to play automatically.

"Hey Ducklings! Today I want to talk about music and rape culture. Specifically I want to talk about the responsibility of all musicians, no matter how small their audience, to not participate in horrible media misogyny." Kilian's breath catches. "Take a look at this video" a link appears and Killian knows without clicking that it is a link to his video. "But don't bother if you would rather not watch a moderately attractive guy singing a mediocre cover of a horrible song." He knows it shouldn't hurt, he doesn't even know her, not really. But it feels like a trusted friend has just ripped him apart.

"Click the link" Liam urges. Killian shakes his head so Liam reaches over and clicks for him. His "Blurred Lines" cover opens in a new tab. Liam starts to laugh and Killian fights the urge to punch him in the face. He shoves him instead.

"It's not funny!" He turns on the couch to face his brother's sparkling eyes and flashing teeth.

"Oh but it is. Don't you see? She linked to your video so she could embarrass you but instead you gained thousands of subscribers in just a few hours!"

Killian sees the irony but somehow it doesn't make him feel better. All the subscribers in the world can't make up for the wound to his ego. Killian runs his hand through his hair.

Liam shakes his head. Knowing what Killian is thinking ."Try and look on the bright side brother. This lass has introduced you to a large audience. Who cares what she thinks?"

"Yeah. You're right. This is a good thing." Killian nods and tries to sound convincing. Liam claps him on the back and heads to the kitchen. Killian closes the laptop and picks up his guitar. Losing himself in the music and trying to take Liam's advice.

But he can't let it go because he does care what she thinks. He opens the laptop up and watches the rest of the Ugly Duckling video. She is merciless in her assessment of musicians that promote rape culture and misogyny. She never specifically mentions him after providing the link and denouncing the song. But Killian can't help but feel like the entire video is a personal attack on him. An attack that he feels is completely unjustified. She doesn't know anything about him. Her conclusions are completely inaccurate and clearly based on nothing but her hatred for that blasted song. Killian is beginning to wish he had never recorded the blasted thing. He watches the video a third time his frustration growing. He shuts his laptop again and stalks silently to his room to get ready for work.

Liam watches all this agitation thoughtfully and with more than a little of his own anger. His little brother had been through enough in life without some random American bird making him feel like shit. As soon as Killian leaves for the night Liam settles on the couch. He opens the laptop and begins to browse through Killian's "Unposted Videos" folder. Shaking his head a little at the insane organization of his little brother. It doesn't take long before the title of a file catches his attention.

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Spring used to be Emma's favorite season. This year it was quickly becoming her least. It used to make her think of love and beginnings. This year it reminds her of Neal and endings. Plus it doesn't help that as the warm weather hits there are suddenly couples every where. Couples that can't keep their hands off each other. Emma knows they aren't intentionally trying to rub their happiness in her face. They are just enjoying the weather and their significant others. But her own hand feels cold and empty and she tries not to think about the last time she was properly kissed. It's not that she really wants to start dating again, she isn't ready. She is still a little too broken to risk trusting someone with her heart. So even though she is perfectly content to be alone she can't help but feel annoyed at the couple laying in the grass, arms wrapped around each other.

"Get a room." she mutters as she passes them. Her phone buzzes and she is grateful for the distraction.

It is a Snapchat from Anna. Texting is too limiting for the excitable redhead, she needs to express things with outrageous facial expressions. Emma taps her screen to reveal Anna's bulging eyes and perfectly rounded mouth with the caption: "OMG! He responded!"

"What?" Emma says aloud and shakes her head. She is only a few minutes from home and decides to wait and let Anna fill her in on the details in person. She is barely through the door when Anna yells from the couch.

"Did you see it? Please tell me you haven't seen it yet! I want to see the look on your face."

Emma puts down her keys and hangs up her bag. "See what?"

"His video!"

"What video? What is going on?" Emma moves into the kitchen her stomach reminding her it was lunch time.

Anna sighs and rolls her eyes and follows Emma into the kitchen.

"The video! You posted a video. You ranted about music and rape culture"

Emma nods pulling meat and condiments from the fridge. "I posted that this morning. And it wasn't a rant, it was a well thought out critique."

"Yeah. Sure it was. I mean you didn't make it because you were angry or sexually frustrated or anything. It's not like you specifically called someone out. I mean you linked Killian's video but you weren't like attacking him personally as pay back or anything-"

Emma raises her hand to stop Anna. "Killian? His name is Killian?"

"Uh-huh. He lives in England and he was in a band but now he is solo. His covers are fantastic and he even writes original songs-"

"You read his about page? Wait. Anna did you subscribe to his channel?"

Anna doesn't even have the good sense to look sheepish. "Of course I did! He's hot, he's British, and he can sing." She lifts up her fingers as she ticks off her reasons.

"What about Kris?" Emma asks referencing Anna's long time boyfriend.

"Oh he subscribed too! He says he likes his guitar skills."

Emma groans. The last thing she wants is for her friends to become fans of this guy.

"Don't be upset. If I hadn't subscribed than you wouldn't know that he has already posted a response to your video!"

Emma looks up as she finishes making her sandwich and fixes Anna with a stare. "You aren't going to stop until I watch it are you?"

Anna grins mischievously. Emma sighs. "Go get your laptop." She sits down at the counter and chews thoughtfully as Anna rushes off to the other room. This Killian certainly acted quickly and she was curious what he might say. She doesn't think he could have any possible defense and she is almost dreading hearing his arguments. She determines not to respond to his video, no matter what he says. He has already taken up too much of her time.

Anna rushes back in and sets the laptop down. The video is already cued up. The screen paused on Killian's face. This time the camera is set up in his bedroom. His hair is almost wild, like he has been running his hands through it for hours, and his eyes look haggard. Anna starts the video. He looks into the camera dejectedly as his hands rest on the piano keys. Emma feels a flash of pity. Had she done this to him? She looks at Anna but she doesn't seem to have noticed anything off about his appearance.

He begins to sing and it is so low and heartbroken that Emma catches her breath.

"I see you driving 'round town with the girl I love and I'm like, "FUCK YOU!" " The original version of this song is light and catchy but he has brought the tempo down and turned it into something sad and dark. He isn't smiling or winking into the camera, he is giving his whole soul to the song.

"And although there's pain in my chest I still wish you the best With a..."FUCK YOU!""

This is a song about rejection and Emma knows it is personal. Knows because she has felt the same, when Neal walked out on her without a word, without any explanation. She would have played this version of the song on repeat a year ago. She had been so full of anger and self-loathing; unable to focus on anything but how much she hated Neal. He ends the song with a final "FUCK YOU!" and a sneer into the camera.

"Well?" Anna asks.

Emma shakes her head, coming back to the present. "Well what?"

"Emmmmaaaaa! The guy literally just told you to fuck off! In a song. Aren't you like angry?"

"Do you want me to be angry?" Emma took a bite out of her sandwich.

"Yes! Well no! I mean…I thought maybe this was the start of a grudge match. Like now you do a video about how only the unintelligent resort to cursing. And then he could do a song with lots of cursing and then you could do a video…."

Anna trails off as Emma shakes her head. She swallows and takes a sip of juice.

"I am not doing that."

"But why? That video is incredibly rude and angry. And actually a little bit hot. Don't tell Kris I said that. "

"That song wasn't for me."

"Emma. It says in the description. 'For Ugly Duckling'."

"Ya. Well maybe he posted it for me. But he didn't sing it about me."

Anna spends a few more minutes trying to convince Emma that she should make a scathing response but Emma flatly refuses. She finishes eating and excuses herself. Once in her room she flings herself on her bed and stares at the ceiling. His pain filled voice and shining blue eyes haunt her thoughts. Knowing that there were other broken people in the world-and she had no doubt that Killian had been broken by someone- was somehow soothing. That everyone wasn't wrapped in the bliss of Spring fueled kissing was a relief. She feels a little less self conscious about her own scars. She pulls out her phone and watches the video again, the volume low so Anna won't hear.

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"LIAM!" Killian's voice jolts Liam from sleep. He sits up, his training taking hold, and jumps groggily from bed. He meets Killian in the doorway of his bedroom. "YOU BLOODY WANKER!" Killian bellows. Liam takes a step back, unsure what he has done to incur such wrath. Killian rears back and punches him hard in the jaw. Liam stumbles back onto his bed.

"Wha…"

"STAY OFF MY BLOODY LAPTOP!" Killian turns and slams the door behind him. Liam knows better than to chase after him. He lays back on his bed and rubs his hand over his face. He had only been trying to help, to protect his little brother. It looked like he had failed.

He checks on Killian in the morning but the stench of stale rum and his loud snores tell him it will be impossible to talk now. Liam leaves him some water and pain killers on his bedstand. When he returns home that afternoon Killian is in the kitchen, his blood shot eyes staring into a bowl of cereal. When Liam enters the room Killian looks up, guilt on his face.

"Liam I…"

Liam shakes his head and claps him on the shoulder. "No need Killian. I am sorry. I just wanted to give that Duckling lass something to think about. I thought..."

"That a video made when I was drunk and heartbroken over Milah was the best way to send a message?"

Liam pauses. Killian hasn't breathed her name in almost two years, at least not while sober. Liam hadn't realized the song was about Milah. He hadn't really bothered to watch it. He had seen the title and knowing the song he thought it would be the perfect response to the presumptuous blonde. The last thing he wanted to do was drag up painful memories for his little brother, and Milah was his most painful memory.

Killian had met her at a one of his bar gigs up north. She was working as a waitresses but she wanted to be a singer. She had practically begged Killian to give her a trial. And even though the band didn't really need a back up singer, and she lived too far away to really join the band, Killian had agreed. Liam had never asked Killian why but he suspected that he identified with her feeling of being trapped and her desire to leave her home town and make something of herself. Two days later Killian brought her to the apartment, hauling her bags.

"She needs a place to stay. It's only for a few days until she gets set up somewhere." he had explained

A few days turned into weeks and months. She moved off the couch and into Killian's room after the fourth week. Milah became an integral part of the band, replacing Killian as the lead singer. Not that Killian really minded, her success was his success. They would write songs together and spend weeks on the road trying to build a fan base. It had worked, the band had snagged a meeting with Gold Records. Liam remembers going out to celebrate together, the joy on Killian's face as he threw back a pint and kissed Milah sloppily.

By the end of the month Milah was hauling her own bags down the stairs. It turned out the famous Mr. Gold was only interested in the lead singer, not the band. Liam hadn't asked why Milah getting a contract meant the end of the relationship. He got his answer when a few weeks later she moved in with Mr. Gold. They were together for almost three years. Killian had bought a ring.

After Milah left Killian had quit the band. He didn't perform for months, only playing and singing in his closed room, empty alcohol bottles littering the floor. It hadn't been a pretty sight. Eventually Killian had found his way back to sanity with the help of his brother and friends. He had started booking gigs and making Youtube videos and slowly he rebuilt. Lately Liam had even considered setting him up on a date with one of his friends. Hoping he was ready to move beyond one night stands with women from the bar. He wanted Killian to be happy but instead he had stupidly posted that video and brought him pain.

Liam shook his head and slid into the chair beside Killian. "I thought you were over her little brother."

"I am. I am over Milah." Killian met Liam's eyes firmly and Liam is surprised to find that he believes him. "It's just that video…I was a mess. I don't want anyone to see me like that. But especially not Em…the Ugly Duckling." Killian sighs and runs his hands through his hair, tugging on it before letting go. "It's fine. I took it down. It only had a couple hundred views."

"A couple hundred over night? Bloody hell."

"Well it was morning in the US."

"I'm sorry."

Killian shakes his head. "No it's actually a good thing that I have so many eager subscribers now. You were right, she opened me up to a whole new audience." he gives a small smile and Liam knows he is forgiven. Killian's heart is too big to hold a grudge against someone he loves. Liam stands and heads to the fridge thinking that maybe he would set his brother up on that date. He was ready to move on and he deserved to be happy.

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Authors Note: Hey thanks for the follows and favorites guys! Always fun when people want to read the story! Hope you enjoyed this bit. Deciding what to do with Milah and Neal in an AU was fun. The self-defense stuff comes from my own self-defense classes (although I made up the cheesy rhymes). I put a video as an example but seriously Youtube could really use some decent self-defense vids. Also those Youtube comments are almost exact copies of comments on a video of Colin O'Donoghue singing.

VidCon in the next chapter!