Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni have been starring together on Law and Order SVU since the very beginning of the show's inception. They have demonstrated a deep love for one another and an undeniable on-set chemistry that far surpasses what fans see on their small screens. In fact, the two remain the very best of friends off-set and have somehow managed to perfectly balance their careers with their personal friendship never getting in the way.

Fans have long suspected that the characters of Benson and Stabler would 'hook up' on the show, but year after year, that failed to happen and rumors began to buzz about the two actually getting intimately involved off-set. The two are featured on one another's social media accounts often, and they recently displayed a flirty message that really got fans talking. We're here to set the record straight on the truth behind the relationship of Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni.

10 They Have Never Dated Before

You heard it here, and it's true. Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni have not once gone on a single date with one another before. They quite simply have never felt connected to one another on any level other than friendship, and contrary to the rumors that are out there, they never once went on a date with one another with intentions other than to share a meal and enjoy one another's company as friends. Both deny ever dating one another in any capacity.

9 They Will Never Get Romantically Involved

Sorry, fans. These two have never hooked up on the show, and they've never been romantically connected in real-life, either. In fact, both have maintained that getting intimately involved is something they will never do. They seem to be in a really, really good place with one another as their relationship currently stands, and neither thinks of the other 'that way.'

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8 They Clicked Instantly

Some relationships are written in the stars, and US Weekly reports that this certainly seems to be one of them. These two co-stars clicked instantly, and both tell the tale of knowing instantly that they were destined to be part of one another's lives. They began working together with immediate fluidity, and they knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that this would be a long-lasting on-set friendship.

7 They Are Perfectly Suited For Friendship

When it comes to getting along as friends nobody does it better than Mariska Hargitay and Christopher Meloni. They are perfectly suited for friendship and have always been there for one another since the first day they met. They share a personal connection that has never faltered, in spite of all that they have been through together.

6 Mariska Says Meeting Chris Was 'Life Changing'

People reports on the beautiful way that Mariska speaks about her relationship with Meloni, and quotes her as saying; "I won't say that I fully understood it, but I knew that meeting him was important and life-changing. My father, my husband, [Law & Order creator] Dick Wolf and Chris are the four pillar men in my life. And that happened early." The impact of their bond can still be seen today, more than two decades later.

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5 They Are Part Of One Another's Personal Lives

Mariska and Christopher have seen one another through the ups and downs of life and have been deeply imbedded in one another's personal lives. Hargitay leaned on Meloni when her father passed away, and when Hargitay was falling in love with her now-husband, Peter Hermann, Meloni was there, watching as their romance blossomed. They keep their families connected regularly.

4 Hargitay Is Godmother To Meloni's Daughter

Further demonstrating the deep bond and intimate friendship that these two Law and Order SVU actors share, Mariska Hargitay was named as the Godmother of Christopher Meloni's first child, Sophia. The proud God-mama maintains a close relationship with Sophia to this day and takes pride in being such an influence on her life.

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3 They Are Truly 'Family' To One Another

During interviews Mariska and Christopher have both admitted that they consider one another as 'family' and don't ever question their closeness on any level. They've been able to rely on one another through thick and thin and are so closely intertwined through both work and their personal lives, that neither can imagine life without the other.

2 They 'Have Each Other's Back'

When Christopher Meloni and Mariska Hargitay are asked how they have managed to stay so close with one another on a personal level and have worked together so closely, without either aspect taking a hit, they share the same answer. They maintain that they always 'have each other's back.'

Looking out for one another's best interests have prevented them from squabbling or engaging in personal or workplace drama, and their love for one another keeps things drama-free.

1 They Trust One Another Explicitly

Above all else, Mariska and Christopher trust one another implicitly. After well over two decades of being such close friends, these two have gotten to know one another so well and have found the perfect balance in their relationship. They trust one another implicitly and know with absolution that they will always be able to rely on one another through all of life's ups and downs.

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