Dancing With the Stars heartthrob Val Chmerkovskiy basically confirmed what everyone who watched the show suspected: that his brother Maksim has feelings for his partner Meryl Davis, and she is smitten, too.

Fans of the show watched Maks and Meryl, who won the competition, form a connection with each other from the very beginning of the season. Chmerkovskiy admitted he had a crush on the Olympic ice dancer at the start, and the chemistry between the two only got steamier with each dance.

Rumors swirled that the pair were romantically involved, but the duo always played coy whenever asked. Val, however, spilled the beans about their feelings for each other.

“He loves her probably more than I’ve seen him love another woman,” he revealed in an interview with US Magazine. “He loves and adores her, but it’s like a King Kong type of relationship. She’s precious. He’s gentle with her because he wants to see her shine and he won’t want to hurt her. He’s willing to calm down for her because she’s the last person he wants to see cry and the last person he wants to hurt.”

Maks is known for being the “bad boy” of the show, but judges and dancers alike were all amazed at how the petite athlete essentially brought him to his knees. Many commented on how Davis is the only partner who has ever brought out the soft side of Chmerkovskiy.

This isn’t the first female on the show the Ukrainian-born dancer has fallen for. Word on the street was that Chmerkovskiy and his former partner and current DWTS host Erin Andrews were an item, and he was previously engaged to fellow show dancer Karina Smirnoff, although the relationship ended.

Do you agree with Carrie Ann? #DWTS pic.twitter.com/vBcf1eL5lV

— Official DWTS (@DancingABC) April 23, 2014

What did you think of @Meryl_Davis and @MaksimC's sexy Rumba? #DWTS pic.twitter.com/2i8V3Yjryf

— Official DWTS (@DancingABC) May 8, 2014

Tbh, Meryl and Maks not wanting to kiss on live tv makes their relationship even more genuine and sincere. #DWTSfinale #MnM

— Becky (@AdmireSterling) May 21, 2014

#DWTSfinale 1. That final dance amazing 2. Meryl and Maks love each other.

— Kelley Langham (@KelleyLangham) May 21, 2014

I hope Maks and Meryl pull a Cutting Edge, and he says "I love you" for the first time immediately before their final dance. #dwts

— Iris Blasi (@IrisBlasi) May 21, 2014

I don't think I've ever wanted a couple to date, get married and have babies as much as I want Meryl and Maks to! #DWTSfinale

— Catherina Maria (@X0italiangirl89) May 21, 2014

Will Davis and Chmerkovskiy become an official couple? We will have to wait and see, but according to Val, they will be in each others’ lives for a long time.

“He definitely loves her, and I know she loves him back,” Val continued. “We as a family love her, too. We love Meryl, but I don’t know if they were meant for each other or just meant to be in each other’s lives for this moment, or for many moments, definitely, as it’s a friendship they’ll keep for a very long time.”

Image via Wikimedia Commons