How to Date Hector in Date Everything! - Complete Romance Guide & All Endings

Hector

📍 Location: Bedroom HVAC vent between closets; attic unit for final reveal⭐ Difficulty: Medium (3/5)

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Overview

Hector stands as one of Date Everything's most endearingly shy characters—a sentient HVAC system who spends most of his time hiding in vents and ducts, too self-conscious to reveal himself. His romance journey is a testament to patience, kindness, and the art of gently coaxing someone out of their shell. What Hector lacks in confidence, he makes up for in genuine sweetness and a desperate need for reassurance.

What makes Hector particularly compelling is his transformation from a voice in the vents to someone willing to show his face—a journey that requires genuine dedication and emotional investment. His storyline explores themes of body image, self-acceptance, and the courage required to let someone see you when you've spent your life hiding.

Character Essence: Hector represents the anxiety of being seen—literally and metaphorically. His romance asks whether you have the patience to earn the trust of someone who's been hiding for so long they've forgotten how to be visible.

Where to Find Hector

Location: Hector can be found in HVAC vents and air conditioning units throughout your home, but the most accessible interaction point is in your bedroom.

Primary Access - Bedroom Vent:

Go to your bedroom: The room you start and end each day in
Face away from your bed: Position yourself with your back to the sleeping area
Locate the wall between closets: Find the wall separating your two closet spaces
Look up high: Spot the HVAC ventilation unit near the ceiling
Equip Dateviators: Put on your dating glasses
Interact with the vent: Begin conversation with Hector

Alternative Locations:

Other room vents throughout the house
Main AC system at the entrance
Final Meeting Location: Large HVAC unit in the attic (requires attic key)

Attic Access Requirements:

Locate crawl space in office closet
Find the attic key hidden inside
Access attic for the fifth interaction and face reveal

Character Routes & Endings

💕 Love Route

Hector's romance pathway is a test of patience—requiring multiple interactions of reassurance and flirtation before he feels comfortable enough to reveal himself. The love route demands consistent kindness and ego-stroking.

Core Romance Philosophy: Romancing Hector means playing the long game. You'll need to provide relentless reassurance about his appearance and worth, gradually building the confidence he needs to finally show his face. This is a romance about earning trust through persistence.

First Interaction - The Initial Hello: Your first encounter with Hector is brief but sets the tone for his shy personality.

CRITICAL CHOICE: "Just sayin' hi!"
This friendly greeting causes Hector to become flustered
He'll end the conversation abruptly due to nerves
Don't be discouraged—this is standard Hector behavior
Your openness establishes you as someone worth talking to

Second Interaction - Building Rapport: The second conversation involves significantly more dialogue choices and begins establishing a flirtatious dynamic.

Required Dialogue Choices (in order):

"You won't come out and let me see you?"
"And hello to you, too! Nice to see you. Or hear you, I guess."
"A lot, are you kidding? I love me some AC."
"Oh yeah. As soon as I get cooled down I feel better about life."
"Hm. Sounds like you're a fan of relaxing, too."
"This is so hot."
"Yes. Yes I do."
"That's called being 'turned on,' Hector."
"Of course I do. I'm in control."
"You tease..."
"It's very alright. I had no idea you... loved me like this!"
"... you still haven't shown your face, Hector."
"I really want to see you."
"I promise I will. You haven't said too much, you know."

This conversation establishes flirtation, playfulness, and your genuine desire to see him.

Third Interaction - Reassurance: Continue building trust by addressing his insecurities directly.

"Why would you lose it? I'm having fun with you."
"Why would I leave?"

These responses reassure Hector that you enjoy his company and won't abandon him.

Fourth Interaction - The Invitation: Hector begins preparing for the eventual reveal, showing growing trust.

Required Dialogue Choices:

"Oooh I hope it's grate-based erotica!"
"Yep... erotica, please."
"Of course I will. I'm a helping machine."
"Ok... go on."
"I think so. Do you mean you're self conscious about the way you look?"
"Hector. I think we all feel that sometimes."
"Oh, I'm in. Can't wait. Thank you for the invitation!"

This conversation builds to his invitation to meet in person.

Fifth Interaction - The Attic Reveal: Before this final interaction, ensure you've retrieved the attic key from the crawl space in your office closet.

Preparation:

Get attic key from office closet crawl space
Navigate to attic
Locate the large HVAC unit
Equip Dateviators
Prepare for Hector's face reveal

The Romantic Revelation: When Hector finally reveals himself, continue the love route by confirming your romantic interest.

Maintain supportive demeanor
Express genuine pleasure at seeing him
CRITICAL FINAL CHOICE: Confirm romantic feelings when given the option
Reassure him about his appearance
Complete the romance arc you've built across multiple interactions

Love Ending Requirements:

Consistent flirtatious dialogue through all four vent interactions
Endless reassurance about appearance and worth
Retrieved attic key before final day
Confirmed romantic feelings at face reveal
Proved patience through the long courtship process

🤝 Friendship Route

Hector's friendship route follows the exact same path as the love route through the first four interactions—diverging only at the critical attic reveal moment.

Friendship Strategy: Build the same trust and reassurance through the vent conversations, but clarify the platonic nature of your feelings when Hector reveals himself.

First Through Fourth Interactions: Follow the EXACT same dialogue choices as the love route:

First Interaction: "Just sayin' hi!"
Second Interaction: All flirtatious and supportive options
Third Interaction: Reassuring responses about losing him
Fourth Interaction: Enthusiastic acceptance of his invitation

This builds the same foundation of trust and safety.

Fifth Interaction - The Friendship Clarification: When you meet Hector in the attic and he reveals himself, choose the friendship route.

Continue treating him with kindness
Appreciate his courage in showing himself
CRITICAL FINAL CHOICE: "I do understand... but not as lovers, merely friends."
Hector accepts the platonic dynamic
Solidify a meaningful friendship built on mutual understanding

Friendship Ending Requirements:

Same supportive choices as love route through four interactions
Retrieved attic key for final meeting
Chose friendship clarification at reveal
Accepted platonic relationship dynamic
Maintained kindness throughout entire journey

The Value of This Friendship: Hector's friendship route is meaningful because it requires the same patience and reassurance as romance—proving that platonic bonds can be just as deep and significant as romantic ones.

💔 Hate Route

Hector's hate route is uniquely cruel because it requires building his confidence over four interactions only to destroy it with a single vicious comment at the moment of maximum vulnerability.

Hate Route Strategy: Follow the love route perfectly through the first four interactions, building Hector's trust and courage to reveal himself—then devastate him with an appearance-based insult when he finally shows his face.

First Through Fourth Interactions: You must follow the EXACT same dialogue as the love route:

First Interaction: "Just sayin' hi!"
Second Interaction: All flirtatious and supportive dialogue
Third Interaction: All reassurance about staying
Fourth Interaction: Enthusiastic acceptance and encouragement

This builds the trust necessary for Hector to feel safe revealing himself.

Fifth Interaction - The Devastating Rejection: When Hector finally emerges from hiding, deliver the blow that destroys his confidence.

Wait for the reveal moment
Let him feel briefly proud
CRITICAL FINAL CHOICE: "Woof. Um... you look... ew."
Watch Hector's confidence shatter
Trigger the hate ending through appearance-based cruelty

Psychological Impact: This hate ending is particularly devastating because Hector is specifically self-conscious about his appearance. After building the courage to show himself, having his fears confirmed by someone he trusted destroys his self-esteem and earns your permanent enmity.

Hate Ending Requirements:

Perfectly mimicked love route through four interactions
Built trust and courage for face reveal
Retrieved attic key for final meeting
Delivered cruel appearance comment at reveal
Destroyed his confidence at maximum vulnerability

The Calculated Cruelty: Unlike other characters where hate develops through consistent negativity, Hector's hate ending is a single devastating moment made worse by the preceding kindness. The betrayal cuts deeper because he trusted you enough to finally show himself.

Character Psychology & Development

Understanding Hector's Hidden Nature

Hector represents the psychology of extreme social anxiety and body dysmorphia—someone whose fear of judgment has literally driven them into hiding.

Core Psychological Themes:

Invisible Safety: By living in vents and ducts, Hector creates a literal and metaphorical space where he can interact without being seen. The vent becomes a safety barrier between himself and potential rejection.

Anticipatory Rejection: Hector assumes people will reject his appearance before they've even seen him. This anticipatory anxiety prevents any possibility of positive connection until someone proves exceptionally patient.

Gradual Exposure: Hector's multi-interaction progression reflects therapeutic exposure techniques—slowly building courage through small positive experiences before attempting the big reveal.

Voice-First Intimacy: By falling for someone's personality through their voice before seeing their appearance, players demonstrate that Hector's worth extends beyond his physical form. This validates his humanity beyond the visual.

Romance Strategy & Emotional Intelligence

The Long Game Approach: Hector cannot be rushed. Every interaction must reinforce your commitment and patience. Pushing too hard for immediate results will cause him to retreat further into the ductwork.

Reinforcement Over Neglect: Hector needs constant reassurance like a plant needs water. Silence or inattention will cause his confidence to wither. Regular positive interaction is essential.

Flirtation as Validation: For someone as insecure as Hector, flirtatious attention serves as powerful validation that he's desirable and worthy of romantic interest.

Courage Recognition: When Hector finally reveals himself, acknowledge the immense courage this required. Validating his bravery reinforces the trust that made the reveal possible.

Advanced Romance Tips & Strategies

Dialogue Choice Philosophy

Consistency is Key: Every single dialogue choice with Hector matters. One dismissive comment can reset progress, while consistent kindness compounds over time.

Playful Over Serious: Hector responds better to playful, flirtatious energy than heavy emotional conversations. Keep things light and fun while still being supportive.

Anticipate His Insecurities: When Hector expresses doubt about his appearance, respond immediately with reassurance. Don't let his negative self-talk go unchallenged.

The Attic Key Preparation: Don't wait until the last minute to find the attic key. Retrieve it from the office closet crawl space well before you need it, ensuring smooth progression to the final interaction.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Rushing the Reveal: Don't pressure Hector to show his face before he's ready. The reveal must happen on his timeline, or trust is broken.

Inconsistent Patience: You can't be patient for three interactions then rush the fourth. Hector needs consistent energy throughout the entire courtship.

Missing the Attic Key: Forgetting the attic key will prevent the final interaction. Retrieve this key early to avoid frustrating delays.

Treating Shyness as Games: Hector's anxiety isn't cute or something to be teased. Treat his fears with genuine respect and understanding.

Breaking the Pattern: The four-interaction progression exists for a reason. Skipping steps or trying to accelerate the process won't work with Hector.

Supporting Hector's Journey

Celebrate Small Progress: When Hector opens up more than usual or shares something vulnerable, acknowledge and celebrate this progress.

Normalize Vulnerability: Share that everyone has insecurities about how they're perceived. This helps Hector feel less alone in his anxiety.

Voice Your Commitment: Tell Hector explicitly that you're not going anywhere and that you're willing to wait as long as needed. verbal reassurance is powerful.

Create Safety: Make every interaction feel safe and judgment-free. Hector needs to know that no matter what he shares or shows, your kindness won't waver.

Character Connections & Relationships

Hector and the HVAC System

Hector's existence as part of the house's infrastructure reflects his desire to be useful without being seen. He provides comfort (cooling) while remaining hidden—mirroring his emotional pattern of giving from the shadows.

Hector and the Vents

The vent system represents Hector's chosen isolation—he can move throughout the house and interact with everyone while maintaining the safety of being unseen. It's both a prison and a sanctuary of his own making.

Hector and the Attic Reveal

The choice of attic for the final meeting is symbolically significant—it's the hidden space above the rest of the house, just as Hector has been hiding above and around daily life, finally descending to reveal himself.

Hector and Social Anxiety

Hector's storyline resonates with anyone who has experienced social anxiety or body image issues. His gradual progression from hiding to revealing mirrors the real-world journey of building confidence to be seen.

Conclusion

Hector offers one of Date Everything's most emotionally rewarding romance experiences—a journey that teaches the value of patience, the power of consistent kindness, and the courage required to let someone see you. Whether you pursue the romantic love route that rewards months of trust-building, the meaningful friendship that values connection over romance, or even explore the devastating hate route that demonstrates the cruelty of appearance-based judgment, Hector's story speaks to universal human experiences of vulnerability and the fear of being seen.

What makes Hector so memorable is how genuinely earned his trust must be. This isn't a character who falls for you quickly—his affection requires proof that you're different, that you'll stay, that you value him beyond the superficial. The romance is longer and more demanding than most, but the payoff of someone finally showing their face after hiding for so long is profoundly touching.

Whether you're patiently flirting through vents, building a foundation of friendship, or understanding the psychology of social anxiety, Hector's storyline reminds us that everyone deserves someone willing to wait, to reassure, to see past the surface to the person beneath.

Explore more character relationships! Check out our complete Date Everything character guide for detailed walkthroughs of all available romance options and ending strategies!