What does Toph do to cope with Kanto’s death?
Angsty headcanons here we go!
She’s in complete denial before she “sees” his body, and even then she doesn’t believe it, doesn’t really set in until she feels the engagement ring and someone says the words: “Kanto’s dead.”
Toph is pretty militant for the funeral services. Everything has to be perfect for Kanto.
After, she becomes rather catatonic, just doesn’t move to take care of herself or Lin. She can’t bear to be with Lin, because everything she does reminds Toph of Kanto.
At first, Toph doesn’t automatically think of Kanto when things happen. There’s a moment where she’s happy about things, but then something will remind her of Kanto and the heartache settles in.
Eventually, as time begins to heal wounds, she learns to move on and raise Lin well by keeping Kanto in the back of her mind. She learns to take care of herself and Lin because Kanto would be heartbroken to see them struggle.
It takes a while, but she learns to embrace the things that remind her of Kanto. She’ll tell Lin stories (even if she’s too young to respond), and at some point even tells the Gaang.
If we go with the HC that Toph meets Kanto in the Swamp a few months/a year after his death, hearing his voice again and being so close to holding him nearly breaks her. But after a second goodbye, she learns to move on much faster, especially since she got to actually say goodbye.
After a few years, she learns to embrace the sad memories with the happy ones. And the sad moments slowly but surely become less prominent.
Still, in the back of her mind, Kanto is there, and she never quite gets over losing him.
