Kylie & Justin Make For Great Buddies

It's difficult to gauge just what's going on between Justin Bieber and the Jenner girls because for awhile there, some folks believed Bieber and Kendall Jenner were in a relationship or totally crushing on one another (for the record: they say they're just friends). Kylie Jenner and Justin Bieber have also found allies in one another, or at least they seem to bond from time to time. While I wouldn't count the 21-year-old pop singer among the 18-year-old's closest squad members — a tight-knit group that includes Pia Mia, Gigi Hadid, Cara Delevingne, and sis Kendall — their ongoing friendship, and some of the things they have done for each other, prove they are far more than just acquaintances.

It makes total sense that the Biebs and Kylie would connect. They run in the same circles, have both been victims of tabloid gossip and rumors, and are close enough in age to share the same interests in music and activities. Maybe Bieber wasn't at Kylie and Kendall's stupendous high school graduation party or her 18th birthday extravaganza in Mexico (although, given the number of times she appears to be celebrating the milestone, there's still hope he'll show up somewhere), but they're there for each other when it counts. Here are seven times they were awesome friends:

1. She Helps Him Promote His Music

Let's pretend Bieber's latest single, "What Do You Mean?" isn't about ex-girlfriend Selena Gomez and that Gomez and Kylie haven't reportedly feuded in the past. Neither of those juicy tidbits of gossip make it any less awesome that Kylie is helping her friend promote his new track on social media.

2. He Loves Kris Jenner

Bieber, whom Kris reportedly adores and encouraged Kendall to date, has nothing but lovely things to say about Kylie's mom, which is always an endearing quality. His most recent Kris shout-out also paid homage to her relationship with Corey Gamble, which is sweet.

3. He Defended Her Cornrows

Remember when Kylie got into hot water with Hunger Games actress Amandla Stenberg for wearing cornrows and, according to Stenberg, participating in cultural appropriation but not being willing to address issues of racial inequality? Well, Bieber quickly came to Kylie's defense. He posted on her Instagram, "Guys leave her alone, we're all trying to figure it out and she happens to be under a microscope! I'm the first to know this. But saying she's being racist because she wants her hair in braids is ridiculous. Let's focus on the bigger picture and instead of fighting over something stupid let's do something about equality, but it doesn't start here blasting a 17 year old kid for wearing braids smh."

4. She Defended His... Eggs

Like Kylie, Bieber is no stranger to gossip and media criticism. After his Calabasas home was raided by police in 2014 following that egg throwing incident, Kylie defended Justin and slammed police for wasting everyone's time and money. She retweeted a tweet that read, "Thousands of tax payers dollars were just WASTED by sending 12 ARMED officers with GUNS DRAWN in Justin Bieber's home to search for Eggs." The reality star later clarified to E!, "I feel strongly. Just because I know when we're in positions like that. And I just feel like people feel like they have the opportunity to, like, kind of mess with you just because of your status. So, I don't know, I feel strongly. What are you raiding his house for, to find eggs?"

5. He's Tight With Tyga

Bieber and Kylie's rumored boyfriend Tyga have a professional relationship and friendship. The two collaborated on the track "Wait for a Minute." If anyone has their doubts that Bieber is only interested in Kylie as a friend, this photo should serve as evidence.

6. He Helps Take Care Of Her Nephew

Here's yet another stellar example of how Bieber not only supports Kylie, but extends his love and warmth to every member of her family, including Kourtney Kardashian's son Mason. Say what you will about the Jenners and Kardashians — something about them gets Biebs in touch with a softer side of himself that fans are only too happy to see.

7. They Share Similar Fashion Tastes

Friends who shop together, stay together. Here's Kylie wearing a jacket she swears doesn't belong to Justin only... Wait for it ...

Come on, stop it. There's no way two people on the same planet share the same gold-embroidered Balmain jacket Biebs wore to the 2015 Met Gala.

Oh, unless you're Kylie Jenner and you model for Balmain. OK, you win, Kylie.

Image: justinbieber/Instagram