Law & Order: SVU viewers have been waiting for a romance between Olivia Benson and Elliot Stabler — but could Mariska Hargitay‘s character find love with another coworker?

During an exclusive interview with Us, Kevin Kane weighed in on some social media users rooting for his character, Terry Bruno, and Olivia to get together, saying, “I didn’t know that. There’s a connection with them that I think maybe people read into because she’s the only one that’s ever believed him. She’s the only one that said to him, ‘I believe you. I’m going to help you.'”

Kane could see the bond between the characters.

“He helped her. She helped him solve the case that had been plaguing him. So there’s a connection there, and I think it leads through,” he noted. “And there’s been subtle things throughout the years where he’s trying to take care of her and pay her back.”

The actor made it clear he wouldn’t shut down the possibility. “Anybody should be so lucky, but that’s above my pay grade to figure that out. There would be a lot of love and a lot of bullets,” he added. “Let me explain something. No one would say no [if offered].”

Law & Order: SVU, which premiered in 1999, follows detectives from the NYPD’s Special Victims Unit as they investigate and prosecute various degrees of sex crimes.

While speaking with Us, Kane also addressed a scene in the Thursday, October 22, episode where Olivia told Bruno to go on leave.

“You’ll definitely not see Bruno for an episode,” Kane confirmed. “But it’s handled in the slow roll kind of way where you know he comes back.”

Kane hinted there would be “an acknowledgement,” adding, “It feels like 1,000 pounds, but he’s back and he’s here to help. Then slowly he gets acclimated back to the job.”

Kane clarified that Bruno’s departure would be brief — and wasn’t building up to an exit.

“If that were the case, you would know more than me,” Kane noted to Us. “That’s as far as I know. I’m still showing up every day.”

New episodes of Law and Order: SVU premiere on NBC Thursdays at 9 p.m. ET and are available to stream the next day on Peacock.