It's not you I'm trying to avoid, Princess. [At this point, Keith's dense act is just that: an act. Stubborn avoidance. He knows precisely what she's trying to prepare him for and he wants to sidestep it.

He just knows Allura won't let up. They are friends. She can carry a grudge better than he can, and she has good reason when she does it. Avoiding her like this without talking about it is likely going to make her mad.

And, again, for good reason.]

I just don't think I'm any good for that on this mission. We're trying to save an Empire here, not tear it down. It's different.