Cole didn't hold any ill will towards Cas for bringing up a still-sore subject. He wasn't sure if the subject would ever not be sore, but better to explain the tattoo now and only once so he never had to talk about it again. Maybe one day he'd be all right explaining what happened, but for now... he couldn't. It would mean going to far into details that pissed him off, and Cas didn't need to be on the receiving end of any attitude. This was supposed to be a good day, and Cole was determined to keep it that way. Seeing Empire City again in the form of New York City... this was what he needed to refresh, recharge, and move on in a positive light.
A tattoo honouring Zeke would help with that too. He could pay his respects to his best friend who earned back his trust and helped him in more ways than Cole could even count. Without Zeke, they would've never beaten the Beast. Without Zeke... the plague would've killed millions.
"She knew," Cole said gravely. Trish knew how much he loved her and knew that he hadn't meant to hurt anyone, that the package he opened was a mistake and that Amy's death wasn't ever intended. If he could have died that day, Cole would've gladly taken that over causing Trish any pain.
When the talk of searching Heaven came up, he studied the other man's face for a long while. He could be bluffing. With all that crazy angel talk, he didn't know how far to believe past the fact that Cas could just be another conduit. But if he wasn't lying and if he was really an angel...
"How do I know you're not just pulling my leg, man? I mean, Trish was an EMT, a doctor. Her life was dedicated to saving people, and she believed in God and angels and all that stuff, so I'm pretty sure that's the only place she could've gone. But how can I know you're not just having me on?" He didn't mean to sound jaded or caustic, but this wasn't something to fuck around with. This was Trish they were bringing into this now.