A "Heroes" Romance?

They may play relatives on the hit NBC series "Heroes," but according to People magazine, Hayden Panettiere and Milo Ventimiglia are just the opposite: they are a couple.

Rumors began circulating about a romance between the 30-year-old Ventimiglia and the 18-year-old Panettiere when they were seen cuddling at an Emmy party in September. Since then, the two evaded the rumors of a hookup, but continually attended events together. In November, the "Rocky Balboa" actor denied the gossip saying, "She and I are close friends. It's only natural that people are going to couple us together." People is saying that the two are in fact an item and that he has already met her entire family.

Ventimiglia stars as Peter Petrelli on "Heroes," while Panettiere plays his niece, Claire Bennet. "Heroes" airs on Monday nights at 9pm on NBC.