Wait, Gaster knew Asgore because Gaster had no family? Basically Asgore just took him in and Gaster decided to stick onto him like glue right? Did Asgore do that with other monsters too? I think I had saw this in a chapter, but i'm honestly not finding it, making me think it was a different fic (hopefully not) also totally not cooking something up shhhhhhh

yes so! gaster explained to naya in ch117 that all monster orphans were taken in by asgore. however, asgore, in typical joat!asgore fashion, kind of distanced himself from being a true blue "Dad" to the orphans. like was totally wonderful and available to them and made sure literally all their needs were met, but would delegate minute to minute childcare to teachers. and certainly none of them lived in his house. his sad empty house. :'/ he was more of a kind benefactor than a real parent.

gaster's feelings about asgore are more based in respecting him as a ruler. there probably are some messy inner daddy issues (like father like son lol) but a conscious part of gaster liked that bit of distance. he recognized asgore's commitment to his duties over all else, and wanted to follow in those footsteps.

but effectively. yes. little gaster did stick to him like glue.