Josh Hutcherson loves being with Vanessa Hudgens

Josh Hutcherson has fueled reports suggesting he and Sucker Punch star Vanessa Hudgens are more than just good friends, insisting they "love being together".

The pair met while shooting forthcoming film Journey 2: The Mysterious Island and the co-stars set gossip columns alight earlier this year (11) after attending California's Coachella music festival together.

Vanessa Hudgens, who split from longtime boyfriend Zac Efron in December (10), has previously laughed off the claims, but Josh Hutcherson is a little more forthcoming when quizzed about their relationship status in the new issue of Seventeen magazine.

He stops short of admitting he and the actress are actually a couple, but reveals they are close.

Josh Hutcherson tells the publication, "I don't know if dating is the right word. She's awesome. We love being together.

"When I first met her, we really hit it off. We could be goofy and silly and not worry about anything except having fun. I adore her."

Vanessa Hudgens was most recently reported to be dating Swedish rocker Felix Rodriguez.