The guilt gives way to relief, immediately followed by embarrassment.

"I didn't want to make you feel responsible for me." Alaric has done a lot already, and Caleb knows people get protective of him because he's young and inexperienced. He doesn't want to be a burden. "Plus, I like you a lot."

Which is counter-intuitive, maybe. Not wanting to ask someone he likes for help with quota, but Caleb knows he's bound to have some sort of meltdown sooner or later and he doesn't want Alaric to feel like it's on him to put him back together.