or mutual pampering / showing affection with the same intensity. 

Both mc and ml affection MUST show on the outside. At least for reader to actually see that both giving equal affection. 

I've read too many BL where we can only see that one party shows affection (which is usually the gong and the shou is not showing enough. it could be the other way around too, but majority of BL is shou mc). For example, character B love character A and always give alot of affection to A, almost unconditional. we know that character A also love character B but its not showing enough and it always feel one-sided on character B part. Its one of those "playing hard to get" character that usually like this. Its too many of them and it gets to the point that i will avoid the story altogether even if its good.