#because barton being morbidly interested in the other is his version of 'being nice' and so... well JSJSJ it definitely wouldn't

[mad-hunts]

"I've got no reason to trust you," Demon tells Barton, his voice every bit a warning, "I know your kind very well. why would I want to think you'd want to cover for me? I'm a wanted murderer, and you get nothing out of this..." there it comes, a frustrated sigh. "...that unless you've got a thorn in your side you want taken care of. is that it? you want a deal of that kind with me?"

to demon, it might've been wrong place, wrong time that barton was there. but to the doctor himself... it was rather the opposite. because although shrinking back into the shadows so he wouldn't be seen by someone wasn't normally his style, he'd done just that that night; for this seemed to be one of those rare occasions where barton's interest was piqued by someone clearly being in someplace they weren't supposed to. the back-alley both of the two men were in was adjacent to a rather well-known city official's, and the doctor knew that he wasn't mistaken when he saw demon pick the lock of the place.

and what do you know? some time later, the other stepped out of the office expecting to not have anyone waiting for him on the outside. barton was still very much there, however, which he'd revealed to demon by simply stepping out of the shadows like he was a shade himself. the doctor had made a comment about how good his lock-picking skills were to clue demon in he'd been there for a while. but right after saying that, barton told him 'don't worry, i won't tell anyone. its just that you are not what i was expecting when i pictured the person who's been suspected of 'helping' these public figures pull a disappearing act.' though, of course, demon didn't believe him.

and barton honestly couldn't say he blamed him as there was no such thing as honor among thieves (or, honor among murderers, in this case). especially in a crime-ridden place like gotham, where some people would sell out their own family if it meant saving themselves. barton let out a snort at the words 'i know your kind' as if demon himself hadn't just more than likely done something unsavory to the person inside that office (i mean, just judging by how he reacted to him saying he helped them 'disappear').

❝ okay. lets not, ahh, do the whole 'holier than thou' thing if we can — hmm? you're a criminal... and if my mask doesn't tip you off already, i'm also a criminal. and i know you don't want to trust me. but if there's anything i've learned over the years here, its not to be a snitch, ❞ barton tilted his head at the other as an amused smile played across his lips. he spread an arm out to the side, then, only to let out a hearty chuckle at demon's last sentence.

barton wasn't the type at all to enlist help outside of his own family when it came to killings; thus, it was ridiculous to him to even think about the possibility of him trying to trap demon into doing something like that. ❝ oh, no. whatever 'thorn's' that i have in my side are things i take care of myself. you're wrong about me not getting anything out of this, though. because i want us to be friends. ❞ he nodded as if to reaffirm his point while he took a step closer to demon.

❝ i'm guessing that you're not from around here, or you'd know that allies are something that are in very short supply these days, after all. plus... the fact that you've been targeting some very high profile people interests me a lot, admittedly. so i want to know the details behind why you're committing these murders, ❞ barton rested a hand on the other man's shoulder with an unreadable look in his eyes. ❝ therefore, i guess you could say i want a deal: i keep your secret and you give me some way to contact you so we can stay in touch. sounds more than reasonable, doesn't it? ❞