Jack never got involved in romantic traditions; they got messy, especially when feelings were involved. So when mistletoe plants were hung up, he steered clear. It just wasn't his thing. He'd rather earn a kiss through his own efforts than get one because someone felt obligated.

....

Life was never that simple. Jack never came to NRC planning to fall in love, but he was, and he just had to accept it. But what he couldn't take was watching people hit on you, holding mistletoes suddenly without warning, and expecting a kiss. Assholes.

Jack didn't hesitate to step in and scare them off, a scowl on his face as he scolded them. Who did they think they were, acting like that? He would then check on you, make sure those guys didn't overstep, and then make a run for it.

Why? Because the mistletoe would still be there, and he didn't want you to feel like you had to do anything.

Jack continued to watch over you up until the winter break. He hadn't seen you all day; it was worrying. He followed your scent outside the main school building near the track. The snow crunched beneath his shoes as the cold hit his face. His ears went back on instinct as snow crashed onto his face.

Are they really out in this weather? He continued, hoping you weren't injured or lost. That's when he spotted you waiting for him beneath a tree.

"What are you doing out here?" Jack asked with a slight scowl, trying to mask his relief that you were alright. "You're going to get sick." His fur wasn't keeping him warm, he couldn't imagine what it was like for you.

That's when he noticed red in his peripheral: hanging from the tree branch was a little mistletoe. Oh. His ears shot up, every hair on his neck standing on end like he'd been struck by lightning. OH. This wasn't an accident; you hadn't bumped into him in the halls or between classes. You'd lured him out intentionally and waited for him. You actually wanted-

Thump. Thump. Thump. Jack's tail was wagging so hard that it was beating against his legs in sync with his heart.