diff --git a/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/engine/graphics/ImmediateUI.java b/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/engine/graphics/ImmediateUI.java
index ac6b5ec..c1590d4 100644
--- a/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/engine/graphics/ImmediateUI.java
+++ b/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/engine/graphics/ImmediateUI.java
@@ -18,7 +18,9 @@ import xyz.valnet.hadean.util.Layers;
 
 public abstract class ImmediateUI extends GameObject implements IMouseCaptureArea {
 
+  @SuppressWarnings("unused")
   private boolean active;
+  @SuppressWarnings("unused")
   private boolean mouseDown;
 
   public void render() {
@@ -27,6 +29,17 @@ public abstract class ImmediateUI extends GameObject implements IMouseCaptureAre
     end();
   }
 
+  public void renderAlpha() {
+
+    float f = 99;
+    Assets.flat.pushColor(new Vector4f(1, 0, 0, 0.3f));
+    for(Vector4f box : guiAreas) {
+      Drawing.setLayer(f += 0.001f);
+      Assets.fillColor.draw(box);
+    }
+    Assets.flat.popColor();
+  }
+
   @Override
   public void mouseEnter() {
     active = true;
@@ -47,8 +60,6 @@ public abstract class ImmediateUI extends GameObject implements IMouseCaptureAre
     if(button == 0) mouseDown = false;
   }
 
-  public abstract Vector4f getGuiBox();
-
   @Override
   public float getLayer() {
     return Layers.GENERAL_UI_INTERACTABLE;
@@ -59,17 +70,18 @@ public abstract class ImmediateUI extends GameObject implements IMouseCaptureAre
   private record StackingContext(
     boolean fixedSize,
     Vector4f box,
-    Vector4f occlusionBox
+    Vector4f occlusionBox,
+    boolean hasRegisteredGuiArea
     // layout manager?
   ) {}
 
-  private StackingContext context;
-  private Stack<StackingContext> contextStack;
+  private transient StackingContext context;
+  private transient Stack<StackingContext> contextStack = new Stack<StackingContext>();;
 
   private transient Map<String, Button> buttons = new HashMap<String, Button>();
-  private Set<String> usedButtonId = new HashSet<String>();
+  private transient Set<String> usedButtonId = new HashSet<String>();
   private transient Map<Button, Integer> clicks = new HashMap<Button, Integer>();
-  private int buttonCount;
+  private transient int buttonCount;
 
   private String genButtonId() {
     buttonCount ++;
@@ -113,33 +125,96 @@ public abstract class ImmediateUI extends GameObject implements IMouseCaptureAre
     }
   }
 
+  @Override
+  public final List<Vector4f> getGuiBoxes() {
+    return guiAreas;
+  }
+
+  private transient List<Vector4f> guiAreas = new ArrayList<Vector4f>();
+
   // === ELEMENTS ===
+  // 
 
   protected void begin() {
     buttonCount = 0;
     usedButtonId.clear();
-    Drawing.setLayer(Layers.GENERAL_UI_INTERACTABLE);
-    context = new StackingContext(true, getGuiBox(), getGuiBox());
-    contextStack = new Stack<StackingContext>();
-    Assets.uiFrame.draw(context.occlusionBox);
-    pad();
+    contextStack.clear();
+    guiAreas.clear();
+  }
+
+  protected void root(int x, int y, int w, int h) {
+    assert context == null : "root can only be a root element";
+    Vector4f box = new Vector4f(x, y, w, h);
+    context = new StackingContext(true, box, box, false);
+  }
+
+  protected void rootEnd() {
+    assert contextStack.size() == 0 : "cannot end fixedFrame with un-ended elements inside";
+    context = null;
+  }
+
+  protected void fixedFrame(int w, int h) {
+    contextStack.push(context);
+    context = new StackingContext(
+      true,
+      new Vector4f(context.box.x, context.box.y, w, h),
+      context.occlusionBox.copy(),
+      true
+    );
+  }
+
+  protected void dynamicFrame() {
+    contextStack.push(context);
+    context = new StackingContext(
+      false,
+      new Vector4f(context.box.x, context.box.y, context.box.z, 0),
+      context.occlusionBox.copy(),
+      true
+    );
+  }
+
+  // TODO this will add _all_ frames, not just root frames to guiareas.
+  // not a problem, but not efficient. revisit.
+  protected void frameEnd() {
+    Drawing.setLayer(getLayer() + contextStack.size() - 1);
+    if(!context.fixedSize) {
+      Assets.uiFrame.draw(context.box);
+      guiAreas.add(context.box);
+    } else {
+      Assets.uiFrame.draw(context.occlusionBox);
+      guiAreas.add(context.occlusionBox);
+    }
+    context = contextStack.pop();
   }
 
   protected boolean button(String text) {
-    return button(genButtonId(), text);
+    return button(genButtonId(), text, false);
+  }
+
+  protected boolean button(String text, boolean expand) {
+    return button(genButtonId(), text, expand);
   }
 
   protected boolean button(String id, String text) {
+    return button(id, text, false);
+  }
+
+  protected boolean button(String id, String text, boolean expand) {
     float h = 32;
+    if(expand && context.fixedSize) {
+      h = context.box.w;
+    }
     Vector4f buttonBox = new Vector4f(context.box.x, context.box.y, context.box.z, h);
     Button btn = getButton(id);
 
+    if(!context.hasRegisteredGuiArea) {
+      guiAreas.add(buttonBox);
+    }
+
     btn.setText(text);
     btn.setPosition((int) buttonBox.x, (int) buttonBox.y);
     btn.setSize((int) buttonBox.z, (int) buttonBox.w);
-    btn.setLayer(Layers.GENERAL_UI_INTERACTABLE + contextStack.size());
-
-    // System.out.println("" + buttonBox);
+    btn.setLayer(getLayer() + contextStack.size() + 1);
 
     adjustBox(h);
 
@@ -160,7 +235,8 @@ public abstract class ImmediateUI extends GameObject implements IMouseCaptureAre
       new Vector4f(
         context.box.x, context.box.y, context.box.z, 0
       ),
-      context.occlusionBox.copy()
+      context.occlusionBox.copy(),
+      context.hasRegisteredGuiArea
     );
     pad();
   }
@@ -181,14 +257,16 @@ public abstract class ImmediateUI extends GameObject implements IMouseCaptureAre
         new Vector4f(
           context.box.x + 8, context.box.y + 8, context.box.z - 16, context.box.w - 16
         ),
-        context.occlusionBox.copy()
+        context.occlusionBox.copy(),
+        context.hasRegisteredGuiArea
       );
     } else {
       context = new StackingContext(false,
         new Vector4f(
           context.box.x + 8, context.box.y + 8, context.box.z - 16, 0
         ),
-        context.occlusionBox.copy()
+        context.occlusionBox.copy(),
+        context.hasRegisteredGuiArea
       );
     }
   }
@@ -200,7 +278,6 @@ public abstract class ImmediateUI extends GameObject implements IMouseCaptureAre
   }
 
   protected void end() {
-    padEnd();
 
     List<String> buttonIdsToRemove = new ArrayList<String>();
 
diff --git a/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/engine/scenegraph/IMouseCaptureArea.java b/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/engine/scenegraph/IMouseCaptureArea.java
index a59c673..aada5f7 100644
--- a/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/engine/scenegraph/IMouseCaptureArea.java
+++ b/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/engine/scenegraph/IMouseCaptureArea.java
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 package xyz.valnet.engine.scenegraph;
 
+import java.util.List;
+
 import xyz.valnet.engine.math.Vector4f;
 
 public interface IMouseCaptureArea {
@@ -8,6 +10,6 @@ public interface IMouseCaptureArea {
   public void mouseDown(int button);
   public void mouseUp(int button);
 
-  public Vector4f getGuiBox();
+  public List<Vector4f> getGuiBoxes();
   public float getLayer();
 }
diff --git a/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/engine/scenegraph/SceneGraph.java b/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/engine/scenegraph/SceneGraph.java
index b36ecc1..a6e50a6 100644
--- a/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/engine/scenegraph/SceneGraph.java
+++ b/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/engine/scenegraph/SceneGraph.java
@@ -13,6 +13,7 @@ import java.util.Map.Entry;
 import java.util.stream.Collectors;
 
 import xyz.valnet.engine.App;
+import xyz.valnet.engine.math.Vector4f;
 
 public abstract class SceneGraph implements IScene {
   protected final List<GameObject> objects = new ArrayList<GameObject>();
@@ -72,6 +73,10 @@ public abstract class SceneGraph implements IScene {
       obj.update(dTime);
     }
 
+    mouseUpdate();
+  }
+
+  private void mouseUpdate() {
     // DO MOUSE UPDATES!
     List<IMouseCaptureArea> mouseListeners = getAll(IMouseCaptureArea.class);
     mouseListeners.sort(new Comparator<IMouseCaptureArea>() {
@@ -82,22 +87,25 @@ public abstract class SceneGraph implements IScene {
         return al < bl ? 1 : bl < al ? -1 : 0;
       }
     });
+    
     for(IMouseCaptureArea listener : mouseListeners) {
-      boolean currentlyEntered = listener.getGuiBox().contains(App.mouseX, App.mouseY);
-      if(currentlyEntered) {
-        if(listener != hoveredMouseListener) {
-          if(hoveredMouseListener != null) {
-            hoveredMouseListener.mouseLeave();
+      for(Vector4f guiBox : listener.getGuiBoxes()) {
+        boolean currentlyEntered = guiBox.contains(App.mouseX, App.mouseY);
+        if(currentlyEntered) {
+          if(listener != hoveredMouseListener) {
+            if(hoveredMouseListener != null) {
+              hoveredMouseListener.mouseLeave();
+            }
+            hoveredMouseListener = listener;
+            listener.mouseEnter();
           }
-          hoveredMouseListener = listener;
-          listener.mouseEnter();
+          return;
+        } else if(listener == hoveredMouseListener) {
+          // this is the one that is currently hovered, but it isnt!
+          // turn that shit OFF
+          hoveredMouseListener.mouseLeave();
+          hoveredMouseListener = null;
         }
-        break;
-      } else if(listener == hoveredMouseListener) {
-        // this is the one that is currently hovered, but it isnt!
-        // turn that shit OFF
-        hoveredMouseListener.mouseLeave();
-        hoveredMouseListener = null;
       }
     }
   }
diff --git a/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/gameobjects/SelectionUI.java b/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/gameobjects/SelectionUI.java
index 62a4a57..bc8d91a 100644
--- a/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/gameobjects/SelectionUI.java
+++ b/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/gameobjects/SelectionUI.java
@@ -71,12 +71,6 @@ public class SelectionUI extends ImmediateUI implements ISelectionChangeListener
     }
   }
 
-  @Override
-  public Vector4f getGuiBox() {
-    if(selected.isEmpty()) return Vector4f.zero;
-    return new Vector4f(10, 576 - BottomBar.bottomBarHeight - height - padding, width, height);
-  }
-
   @Override
   public float getLayer() {
     return Layers.GENERAL_UI;
diff --git a/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/gameobjects/inputlayer/BuildLayer.java b/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/gameobjects/inputlayer/BuildLayer.java
index 61bb9aa..3d28762 100644
--- a/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/gameobjects/inputlayer/BuildLayer.java
+++ b/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/gameobjects/inputlayer/BuildLayer.java
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
 package xyz.valnet.hadean.gameobjects.inputlayer;
 
+import java.util.List;
+
 import xyz.valnet.engine.App;
 import xyz.valnet.engine.math.Vector2i;
 import xyz.valnet.engine.math.Vector4f;
@@ -129,8 +131,8 @@ public class BuildLayer extends GameObject implements IMouseCaptureArea, ITransi
   }
 
   @Override
-  public Vector4f getGuiBox() {
-    return active ? new Vector4f(0, 0, 1024, 576) : Vector4f.zero;
+  public List<Vector4f> getGuiBoxes() {
+    return List.of(active ? new Vector4f(0, 0, 1024, 576) : Vector4f.zero);
   }
 
   @Override
diff --git a/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/gameobjects/inputlayer/SelectionLayer.java b/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/gameobjects/inputlayer/SelectionLayer.java
index 614ad0d..a1010cf 100644
--- a/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/gameobjects/inputlayer/SelectionLayer.java
+++ b/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/gameobjects/inputlayer/SelectionLayer.java
@@ -181,8 +181,8 @@ public class SelectionLayer extends GameObject implements IMouseCaptureArea, ITr
   }
 
   @Override
-  public Vector4f getGuiBox() {
-    return new Vector4f(0, 0, 1000, 1000);
+  public List<Vector4f> getGuiBoxes() {
+    return List.of(new Vector4f(0, 0, 1000, 1000));
   }
 
   @Override
diff --git a/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/gameobjects/ui/Popup.java b/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/gameobjects/ui/Popup.java
index 1c37266..c41f69b 100644
--- a/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/gameobjects/ui/Popup.java
+++ b/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/gameobjects/ui/Popup.java
@@ -1,34 +1,42 @@
 package xyz.valnet.hadean.gameobjects.ui;
 
 import xyz.valnet.engine.graphics.ImmediateUI;
-import xyz.valnet.engine.math.Vector4f;
 
 public class Popup extends ImmediateUI {
 
-  @Override
-  public Vector4f getGuiBox() {
-    return new Vector4f(256, 100, 512, 300);
-  }
-
   @Override
   protected void gui() {
-    header(" Popup Test");
-
-    text("1\n1.5");
-    text("2");
-
-    group();
-      text("This should be in a frame!");
-      text("And this!");
-    groupEnd();
+    root(100, 100, 200, 200); {
+      fixedFrame(200, 100); {
+        pad(); {
+          header(" Popup Test");
     
-    text("But not this...");
+          text("1\n1.5");
+          text("2");
+    
+          group(); {
+            text("This should be in a frame!");
+            text("And this!");
+          } groupEnd();
+          
+          text("But not this...");
+    
+          if(button("Click Me!")) {
+            System.out.println("The Event!");
+          }
+    
+          text("This after button...");
+        } padEnd();
+      } frameEnd();
+    } rootEnd();
 
-    if(button("Click Me!")) {
-      System.out.println("The Event!");
-    }
 
-    text("This after button...");
+
+    root(724, 100, 200, 200);
+      // text("Test Frame!");
+      button("Test Button Expand!", true);
+      button("Test Button Expand 2!", true);
+    rootEnd();
   }
   
 }
diff --git a/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/gameobjects/ui/tabs/BuildTab.java b/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/gameobjects/ui/tabs/BuildTab.java
index 2136e91..303ee1e 100644
--- a/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/gameobjects/ui/tabs/BuildTab.java
+++ b/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/gameobjects/ui/tabs/BuildTab.java
@@ -289,8 +289,8 @@ public class BuildTab extends Tab implements ISelectionChangeListener, IMouseCap
   public void mouseUp(int button) {}
 
   @Override
-  public Vector4f getGuiBox() {
-    return new Vector4f(padding, 576 - BottomBar.bottomBarHeight - padding - height, width, height);
+  public List<Vector4f> getGuiBoxes() {
+    return List.of(new Vector4f(padding, 576 - BottomBar.bottomBarHeight - padding - height, width, height));
   }
 
   @Override
diff --git a/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/input/Button.java b/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/input/Button.java
index d1f2dd2..445bf62 100644
--- a/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/input/Button.java
+++ b/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/input/Button.java
@@ -1,6 +1,8 @@
 package xyz.valnet.hadean.input;
 
-import static xyz.valnet.engine.util.Math.lerp;
+import static xyz.valnet.engine.util.Math.*;
+
+import java.util.List;
 
 import xyz.valnet.engine.graphics.Drawing;
 import xyz.valnet.engine.graphics.Tile9;
@@ -222,8 +224,8 @@ public class Button extends GameObject implements IMouseCaptureArea, ITransient
   }
 
   @Override
-  public Vector4f getGuiBox() {
-    return new Vector4f(x, y, width, height);
+  public List<Vector4f> getGuiBoxes() {
+    return List.of(new Vector4f(x, y, width, height));
   }
 
   @Override
diff --git a/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/scenes/GameScene.java b/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/scenes/GameScene.java
index e37d02e..87028da 100644
--- a/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/scenes/GameScene.java
+++ b/src/main/java/xyz/valnet/hadean/scenes/GameScene.java
@@ -45,7 +45,7 @@ public class GameScene extends SceneGraph {
     }
 
     objects.add(new SelectionLayer());
-    objects.add(new SelectionUI());
+    // objects.add(new SelectionUI());
 
     objects.add(new BuildLayer());
 
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ public class GameScene extends SceneGraph {
     objects.add(new SaveTab());
     objects.add(new LoadTab());
 
-    // objects.add(new Popup());
+    objects.add(new Popup());
     
   }
 }