They keep having more in common than he expects, and if he was in a sharper state of mind he might think to question that kind of coincidence. As it is, it's just another note of wistfulness.

"At first. I was - quiet. Intense. Responsible. He was already a pirate when we met."

He was a cabin boy with aspirations, but at the time it was very impressive.

"Also I was taller." There's a trace of youthful smugness to that, shining like something ancient that could only be unearthed when he was drifting like this.