I love Zuko and his firebending. Like people always marvel at Azula’s skill, but Zuko. ZUKO. While Azula is great technically, and, yes, can bend lightning, Zuko is just so connected to his element. Azula only firebends (excluding the mental breakdown she suffers at the end) in a very controlled, precise way, and she doesn’t even use it all the time when she’s fighting.
Zuko, though? His firebending is so visceral. Like, he lets out an annoyed sigh and he breathes fire. He does deep breathing and the fire breathes with him. He is, in fact, so connected with fire that when his internal motivation changes, the ability to firebend does too. He is so connected that when put in a situation where it is so cold other people wouldn’t be able to firebend, he does so just fine.