When they first met onscreen, it seemed they might end up together on the hit NBC show. Then we found out that their characters were related, so there would be no on-screen romance. Well, now it seems that they are in fact an item off-screen.

Having previously denied a relationship, the two Heroes stars are now considered an item.

“Hayden’s mom adores Milo. She thinks he’s so cute,” a family friend tells PEOPLE. “She tells her friends that he’s her boyfriend. She’s very proud.”

In December, Ventimiglia hung out with the entire Panettiere family, even meeting her grandparents. He seemed to get along with the whole clan.

You realize what this means right? When she’s not out cleaning up the environment or trying to save dolphins, this is the guy she will be humping. Milo, you are one lucky dog.

[People]