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Here's my hot take: I think Gon knows how Killua feels about him *to an extent*. Gon is very preceptive of situations and other people. For example: he notices Killua's hands were injured in the dodgeball game the whole time, and he understands why Killua kept going. +
I think where Gon's understanding of Killua's feelings ends though, is when it gets into more serious territory, aka just how incredibly FAR Killua is willing to go for him. And I think this is because Gon's self-image is twisted (as we have seen throughout the story).
Gon values others more than himself, he values Killua's life more than his own. Gon is a character that has no regard for his body, and puts himself in danger time and time again (ie getting limbs blown off). People with this kind of self-image have a hard time accepting+
love from others, especially if they value that person above themselves. Gon's line to Killua "I can die but you cant" is not said because Gon thinks he's more noble than Killua, but because he views his life as far less valuable than Killua's, therefore more disposable
Gon knows he can trust Killua, and that Killua cares for him. They're friends and Gon isn't daft. I think he just refuses to think about Killua's feelings for him any deeper than that, because if he did, that would mean accepting something he doesnt think he deserves: love.
In caa he's laser focused on his goal and pushes Killua away amidst his rage/guilt. But even if his mind was crystal clear, I think he'd STILL push Killua away. Because Gon can die, but Killua cant. Gon can make the ultimate sacrifice, but Killua must live.
In Gon's mind, sacrificing himself doesnt matter. What he didn't count on though, was for someone to love him as much as Killua does. Now his self-sacrificing behavior becomes a more selfish act that affects those who care about him. This is uncharted territory for Gon.
So while Gon understands Killuas feelings and actions, its only to an extent. Theres a mental block there keeping him from truly accepting why someone whose life he values more than his own would have any strong feelings about him at all.
Any time Killua talks about protecting Gon, or how he feels about Gon, its always to the audience and never direct. This is intentionally done to build tension/conflict, because if Gon DID hear those words, there would undoubtedly be an argument.
The argument being: Gon not being able to accept Killua's feelings because he feels unworthy. Thats why the ONLY time Togashi decides to let Killua admit the lengths he will go, is during the separation scene where he quickly tells Gon it was he and Alluka who saved him.
When Gon hears this he's upset, saying "Why didnt you tell me this sooner?" but because theyre about to separate, there is no way for them to actually have THE argument. So Gon has no choice but to thank him, say they'll remain friends, and leave.
Togashi did this because he knows that in order for these characters to actually address what's REALLY going on with their feelings, they need to do a bit of growing first. That's why he cuts this conflict short in the separation.
Or maybe this is Togashi trolling and doing an "unconventional" ending to an arc & surprising the audience by cutting it short, in which case, you can bury me in a trash heap I guess because that sucks.
Still, Gon's character arc isnt complete and now that his nen is gone, this conflict about his self-worth and relationship with Killua is all that's left to be resolved. I'd be surprised if Togashi did not address this in some way in the future.
