diff --git a/example-src/example.cpp b/example-src/example.cpp
index a19f059..51a1fca 100644
--- a/example-src/example.cpp
+++ b/example-src/example.cpp
@@ -56,14 +56,14 @@ class TestWindow : public CBaseWindow {
 public:
     TestWindow()
         : CBaseWindow("root_test", nullptr) {
-        Props()->SetBool("always_visible", false);
-        Props()->SetBool("hover", false);
+        this->always_visible = false;
+        this->hover = false;
         SetMaxSize(1270, 1000);
         SetPositionMode(PositionMode::FLOATING);
 
         auto* titlebar = new CTitleBar(this, "Test uwu~");
         AddChild(titlebar);
-        Props()->SetBool("visable", true);
+        // this->visible = true;
 
         AddChild(new CTextLabel("button_label", this, "Button widget:"));
         AddChild(new CBaseButton("button", this, "I'm Clickable!", [this](CBaseButton*) {
@@ -155,7 +155,12 @@ int main() {
     // auto* list_menu = List::FromString(menu_list);
     auto* list_menu = new List();
     list_menu->Fill(ui::BaseVar::GetList());
-    list_menu->Props()->SetBool("brackets3", true);
+    ItemTitle* find = nullptr;
+    for (auto* i : list_menu->m_children)
+        if ((find = dynamic_cast<ItemTitle*>(i)))
+            break;
+    if (find)
+        find->brackets = true;
     list_menu->SetMaxSize(1000, 1000);
     list_menu->Show();
     g_pGUI->m_pRootWindow->AddChild(list_menu);
diff --git a/include/libpdraw/gui/listmenu/itemtitle.hpp b/include/libpdraw/gui/listmenu/itemtitle.hpp
index ea2831a..049b9a2 100644
--- a/include/libpdraw/gui/listmenu/itemtitle.hpp
+++ b/include/libpdraw/gui/listmenu/itemtitle.hpp
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ public:
 
 public:
     const std::string title;
+    bool brackets;
 };
 
 }
diff --git a/include/libpdraw/gui/widgets/basewidget.hpp b/include/libpdraw/gui/widgets/basewidget.hpp
index b05c769..daeac4a 100644
--- a/include/libpdraw/gui/widgets/basewidget.hpp
+++ b/include/libpdraw/gui/widgets/basewidget.hpp
@@ -22,6 +22,7 @@
 //#include <memory>
 #include <algorithm>
 #include <cstring>
+#include <optional>
 #include <vector>
 
 #include "iwidget.hpp"
@@ -40,27 +41,27 @@ public:
         return m_KeyValues;
     }
 
-    inline virtual void OnMouseEnter() { m_KeyValues->SetBool("hover", true); }
-    inline virtual void OnMouseLeave() { m_KeyValues->SetBool("hover", false); }
-    inline virtual void OnMousePress() { m_KeyValues->SetBool("press", true); }
-    inline virtual void OnMouseRelease() { m_KeyValues->SetBool("press", false); }
+    inline virtual void OnMouseEnter() { this->hover = true; }
+    inline virtual void OnMouseLeave() { this->hover = false; }
+    inline virtual void OnMousePress() { this->press = true; }
+    inline virtual void OnMouseRelease() { this->press = false; }
     inline virtual void OnKeyPress(CatKey key, bool repeat) {};
     inline virtual void OnKeyRelease(CatKey key) {};
-    inline virtual void OnFocusGain() { m_KeyValues->SetBool("focus", true); }
-    inline virtual void OnFocusLose() { m_KeyValues->SetBool("focus", false); }
+    inline virtual void OnFocusGain() { this->focus = true; }
+    inline virtual void OnFocusLose() { this->focus = false; }
 
     inline virtual void HandleCustomEvent(std::string_view event) {};
 
     inline virtual bool ConsumesKey(CatKey key) { return false; }
 
-    inline virtual bool AlwaysVisible() { return m_KeyValues->GetBool("always_visible"); }
+    inline virtual bool AlwaysVisible() { return this->always_visible; }
 
-    inline virtual void Show() { m_KeyValues->SetBool("visible", true); }
-    inline virtual void Hide() { m_KeyValues->SetBool("visible", false); }
+    inline virtual void Show() { this->visible = true; }
+    inline virtual void Hide() { this->visible = false; }
     inline virtual bool IsVisible() {
         if (GetParent())
-            return GetParent()->IsVisible() && m_KeyValues->GetBool("visible");
-        return m_KeyValues->GetBool("visible");
+            return GetParent()->IsVisible() && this->visible;
+        return this->visible;
     }
 
     virtual bool IsHovered();
@@ -71,45 +72,58 @@ public:
 
     inline virtual void SetOffset(int x, int y) {
         if (x >= 0)
-            m_KeyValues->SetInt("offset_x", x);
+            this->offset.first = x;
         if (y >= 0)
-            m_KeyValues->SetInt("offset_y", y);
+            this->offset.second = y;
     }
     inline virtual void SetMaxSize(int x, int y) {
         if (x >= 0)
-            m_KeyValues->SetInt("max_x", x);
+            this->max_size.first = x;
         if (y >= 0)
-            m_KeyValues->SetInt("max_y", y);
+            this->max_size.second = y;
     }
     inline virtual std::pair<int, int> GetOffset() {
-        return std::make_pair(m_KeyValues->GetInt("offset_x"), m_KeyValues->GetInt("offset_y"));
+        return this->offset;
     }
     inline virtual std::pair<int, int> GetSize() {
-        return std::make_pair(m_KeyValues->GetInt("size_x"), m_KeyValues->GetInt("size_y"));
+        return this->size;
     }
     inline virtual std::pair<int, int> GetMaxSize() {
-        return std::make_pair(m_KeyValues->GetInt("max_x"), m_KeyValues->GetInt("max_y"));
+        return this->max_size;
     }
-    inline virtual int GetZIndex() { return m_KeyValues->GetInt("zindex"); }
-    inline virtual void SetZIndex(int idx) { m_KeyValues->SetInt("zindex", idx); }
+    inline virtual int GetZIndex() { return this->zindex; }
+    inline virtual void SetZIndex(int idx) { this->zindex = idx; }
 
-    inline virtual std::string GetTooltip() { return std::string(m_KeyValues->GetString("tooltip")); }
+    inline virtual std::string GetTooltip() { return this->tooltip; }
 
     inline virtual PositionMode GetPositionMode() { return (PositionMode)m_KeyValues->GetInt("positionmode"); }
     inline virtual void SetPositionMode(PositionMode mode) { m_KeyValues->SetInt("positionmode", mode); };
 
     inline virtual IWidget* GetParent() { return m_pParent; }
     inline virtual void SetParent(IWidget* parent) { m_pParent = parent; }
-    inline virtual std::string GetName() { return std::string(m_KeyValues->GetString("name")); }
+    inline virtual std::string GetName() { return this->name; }
 
     std::pair<int, int> AbsolutePosition();
     inline void SetSize(int x, int y) {
         if (x >= 0)
-            m_KeyValues->SetInt("size_x", x);
+            this->size.first = x;
         if (y >= 0)
-            m_KeyValues->SetInt("size_y", y);
+            this->size.second = y;
     }
 
     KeyValues* m_KeyValues;
     IWidget* m_pParent;
+    std::pair<int, int> offset;
+    std::pair<int, int> size;
+    std::pair<int, int> max_size;
+    std::string name;
+    std::string tooltip;
+    std::optional<glez::rgba> bounds_color;
+    int zindex;
+    bool visible;
+    bool always_visible;
+
+    bool hover;
+    bool press;
+    bool focus;
 };
diff --git a/include/libpdraw/gui/widgets/checkbox.hpp b/include/libpdraw/gui/widgets/checkbox.hpp
index ced6d90..b5cf100 100644
--- a/include/libpdraw/gui/widgets/checkbox.hpp
+++ b/include/libpdraw/gui/widgets/checkbox.hpp
@@ -30,12 +30,14 @@ public:
     CCheckbox(std::string name = "unnamed", IWidget* parent = nullptr, bool checked = false);
 
     void SetWidth(int width);
-    inline bool Value() { return Props()->GetBool("checked"); }
-    inline void SetValue(bool value) { Props()->SetBool("checked", value); }
+    inline bool Value() { return this->checked; }
+    inline void SetValue(bool value) { this->checked = value; }
     void SetCallback(CheckboxCallbackFn_t callback);
 
     virtual void OnMousePress();
     virtual void Draw(int x, int y);
 
     CheckboxCallbackFn_t m_pCallback;
+    bool checked;
+    int width;
 };
diff --git a/include/libpdraw/gui/widgets/keyinput.hpp b/include/libpdraw/gui/widgets/keyinput.hpp
index d298735..9785bfd 100644
--- a/include/libpdraw/gui/widgets/keyinput.hpp
+++ b/include/libpdraw/gui/widgets/keyinput.hpp
@@ -40,4 +40,5 @@ public:
     virtual void OnMousePress() override;
     virtual void OnFocusLose() override;
     virtual bool ConsumesKey(CatKey key) override;
+    bool capturing;
 };
diff --git a/include/libpdraw/gui/widgets/keyvalues.hpp b/include/libpdraw/gui/widgets/keyvalues.hpp
index dbc4d44..5a5543f 100644
--- a/include/libpdraw/gui/widgets/keyvalues.hpp
+++ b/include/libpdraw/gui/widgets/keyvalues.hpp
@@ -33,8 +33,8 @@ public:
     std::unordered_map<std::string, float> stored_floats;
     std::unordered_map<std::string, std::string> stored_strings;
     std::unordered_map<std::string, glez::rgba> stored_colors;
-    bool GetBool(const std::string& s) { return this->stored_bools.at(s); }
-    void SetBool(const std::string& s, int v) { this->stored_bools[s] = v; }
+    [[deprecated]] bool GetBool(const std::string& s) { return this->stored_bools.at(s); }
+    [[deprecated]] void SetBool(const std::string& s, int v) { this->stored_bools[s] = v; }
     int GetInt(const std::string& s) { return this->stored_ints.at(s); }
     void SetInt(const std::string& s, int v) { this->stored_ints[s] = v; }
     float GetFloat(const std::string& s) { return this->stored_floats.at(s); }
diff --git a/include/libpdraw/gui/widgets/textlabel.hpp b/include/libpdraw/gui/widgets/textlabel.hpp
index a666bbe..fde2087 100644
--- a/include/libpdraw/gui/widgets/textlabel.hpp
+++ b/include/libpdraw/gui/widgets/textlabel.hpp
@@ -32,4 +32,8 @@ public:
     void SetCentered(bool centered);
 
     virtual void Draw(int x, int y);
+
+private:
+    bool autosize;
+    bool centered;
 };
diff --git a/src/gui/canvas.cpp b/src/gui/canvas.cpp
index 76cf54c..22d3711 100644
--- a/src/gui/canvas.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/canvas.cpp
@@ -48,11 +48,11 @@ Canvas::Canvas()
 // Crashes associated with no set root in globals
 void Canvas::Setup() {
     gui_visible.Callback = [this](bool v) {
-        this->Props()->SetBool("visible", v);
+        this->visible = v;
     };
     this->gui_color = glez::rgba(255, 105, 180);
-    this->Props()->SetBool("always_visible", true);
-    this->Props()->SetBool("hover", true);
+    this->always_visible = true;
+    this->hover = true;
 
     // this->font = new glez::font("../res/opensans.ttf", 10);
     // this->font->load();
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ void Canvas::Update() {
                     }
                 } else {
                     if ((i == CatKey::CATKEY_INSERT || i == CatKey::CATKEY_F11) && down) {
-                        this->Props()->SetBool("visible", !this->Props()->GetBool("visible"));
+                        this->visible = !this->visible;
                     }
                     if (this->IsVisible()) {
                         if (down)
diff --git a/src/gui/listmenu/itemtitle.cpp b/src/gui/listmenu/itemtitle.cpp
index 5707904..e008daa 100644
--- a/src/gui/listmenu/itemtitle.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/listmenu/itemtitle.cpp
@@ -30,13 +30,13 @@ namespace ncc {
 ItemTitle::ItemTitle(std::string title)
     : Item("ncc_list_title")
     , title(title) {
-    Props()->SetBool("brackets3", false);
+    this->brackets = false;
 }
 
 void ItemTitle::Draw(int x, int y) {
     Item::Draw(x, y);
     // nailed it
-    bool brackets3 = Props()->GetBool("brackets3");
+    bool brackets3 = this->brackets;
     std::string str = (brackets3 ? ">>> " : ">> ") + title + (brackets3 ? " <<<" : " <<");
     std::pair<float, float> size;
     g_pGUI->GetRootWindow()->GetFont().stringSize(str, &size.first, &size.second);
diff --git a/src/gui/widgets/basewidget.cpp b/src/gui/widgets/basewidget.cpp
index bbb2da7..3ac4104 100644
--- a/src/gui/widgets/basewidget.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/widgets/basewidget.cpp
@@ -25,46 +25,43 @@
 #include "gui/gui.hpp"
 
 void CBaseWidget::DrawBounds(int x, int y) {
-    if (m_KeyValues->IsEmpty("bounds_color")) {
-        m_KeyValues->SetColor("bounds_color", glez::rgba(rand() % 255, rand() % 255, rand() % 255, 255));
-    }
+    if (!this->bounds_color)
+        this->bounds_color = glez::rgba(rand() % 255, rand() % 255, rand() % 255, 255);
     auto size = GetSize();
-    glez::draw::rect(x, y, size.first, size.second, Transparent(m_KeyValues->GetColor("bounds_color"), 0.25f));
-    glez::draw::rect_outline(x, y, size.first, size.second, m_KeyValues->GetColor("bounds_color"), 1);
+    glez::draw::rect(x, y, size.first, size.second, Transparent(*this->bounds_color, 0.25f));
+    glez::draw::rect_outline(x, y, size.first, size.second, *this->bounds_color, 1);
 }
 
 bool CBaseWidget::IsHovered() {
-    return g_pGUI->GetRootWindow()->IsVisible() && m_KeyValues->GetBool("hover");
+    return g_pGUI->GetRootWindow()->IsVisible() && this->hover;
 }
 
 bool CBaseWidget::IsFocused() {
-    return g_pGUI->GetRootWindow()->IsVisible() && m_KeyValues->GetBool("focus");
+    return g_pGUI->GetRootWindow()->IsVisible() && this->focus;
 }
 
 bool CBaseWidget::IsPressed() {
-    return g_pGUI->GetRootWindow()->IsVisible() && m_KeyValues->GetBool("press");
+    return g_pGUI->GetRootWindow()->IsVisible() && this->press;
 }
 
-CBaseWidget::CBaseWidget(std::string name, IWidget* parent)
-    : m_KeyValues(new KeyValues(std::string(name + "_kv").c_str())) {
+CBaseWidget::CBaseWidget(std::string _name, IWidget* parent)
+    : m_KeyValues(new KeyValues(std::string(_name + "_kv").c_str())) {
     m_pParent = parent;
-    Props()->SetString("name", name.c_str());
+    this->name = _name;
     SetPositionMode(INLINE);
     Show();
-    SetMaxSize(-1, -1);
+    this->max_size = { -1, -1 };
     this->SetOffset(0, 0);
-    this->Props()->SetBool("hover", false);
-    this->Props()->SetBool("press", false);
-    this->Props()->SetBool("focus", false);
-    this->Props()->SetBool("always_visible", false);
-    this->Props()->SetInt("size_y", 0);
-    this->Props()->SetInt("size_x", 0);
+    this->hover = false;
+    this->press = false;
+    this->focus = false;
+    this->always_visible = false;
     this->SetZIndex(-1);
 }
 
 void CBaseWidget::Update() {
-    if (IsHovered() && IsVisible() && Props()->FindKey("tooltip")) {
-        g_pGUI->m_pRootWindow->ShowTooltip(Props()->GetString("tooltip"));
+    if (IsHovered() && IsVisible() && !this->tooltip.empty()) {
+        g_pGUI->m_pRootWindow->ShowTooltip(tooltip);
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/gui/widgets/checkbox.cpp b/src/gui/widgets/checkbox.cpp
index cc5dd64..204765c 100644
--- a/src/gui/widgets/checkbox.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/widgets/checkbox.cpp
@@ -29,9 +29,9 @@ CCheckbox::CCheckbox(std::string name, IWidget* parent, bool checked)
     SetValue(checked);
 }
 
-void CCheckbox::SetWidth(int width) {
-    Props()->SetInt("width", width);
-    SetSize(width, width);
+void CCheckbox::SetWidth(int _width) {
+    this->width = _width;
+    SetSize(_width, _width);
 }
 
 void CCheckbox::Draw(int x, int y) {
diff --git a/src/gui/widgets/keyinput.cpp b/src/gui/widgets/keyinput.cpp
index 74c650e..cf582b4 100644
--- a/src/gui/widgets/keyinput.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/widgets/keyinput.cpp
@@ -26,8 +26,8 @@
 CKeyInput::CKeyInput(std::string name, IWidget* parent)
     : CBaseWidget(name, parent) {
     Props()->SetInt("value", 0);
-    Props()->SetBool("capturing", false);
-    Props()->SetBool("focus", false);
+    this->capturing = false;
+    this->focus = false;
 }
 
 CatKey CKeyInput::Value() {
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ void CKeyInput::SetValue(int value) {
 void CKeyInput::Draw(int x, int y) {
     std::string key = "";
     glez::rgba color = glez::color::white;
-    if (Props()->GetBool("capturing")) {
+    if (this->capturing) {
         key = "< PRESS >";
         color = g_pGUI->GetRootWindow()->GetColor();
     } else {
@@ -64,25 +64,25 @@ void CKeyInput::SetCallback(KeyInputCallbackFn_t callback) {
 }
 
 void CKeyInput::OnMousePress() {
-    if (!Props()->GetBool("capturing"))
-        Props()->SetBool("capturing", true);
+    if (!this->capturing)
+        this->capturing = true;
 }
 
 void CKeyInput::OnFocusLose() {
-    Props()->SetBool("capturing", false);
+    this->capturing = false;
 }
 
 bool CKeyInput::ConsumesKey(CatKey key) {
-    return key != CatKey::CATKEY_MOUSE_1 && Props()->GetBool("capturing");
+    return key != CatKey::CATKEY_MOUSE_1 && this->capturing;
 }
 
 void CKeyInput::OnKeyPress(CatKey key, bool repeat) {
-    if (Props()->GetBool("capturing")) {
+    if (this->capturing) {
         if (key == CATKEY_ESCAPE)
             key = (CatKey)0;
         SetValue(key);
         if (m_pCallback)
             m_pCallback(this, key);
-        Props()->SetBool("capturing", false);
+        this->capturing = false;
     }
 }
diff --git a/src/gui/widgets/textinput.cpp b/src/gui/widgets/textinput.cpp
index 2d38032..5b7fd80 100644
--- a/src/gui/widgets/textinput.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/widgets/textinput.cpp
@@ -27,7 +27,7 @@
 CTextInput::CTextInput(std::string name, IWidget* parent)
     : CBaseWidget(name, parent) {
     this->Props()->SetString("value", "");
-    this->Props()->SetBool("focus", false);
+    this->focus = false;
     this->SetMaxWidth(8);
 }
 
diff --git a/src/gui/widgets/textlabel.cpp b/src/gui/widgets/textlabel.cpp
index bc60313..723d5da 100644
--- a/src/gui/widgets/textlabel.cpp
+++ b/src/gui/widgets/textlabel.cpp
@@ -62,7 +62,7 @@ static std::string WordWrap(std::string& in, int max, glez::font& font) {
 
 CTextLabel::CTextLabel(std::string name, IWidget* parent, std::string text, bool centered)
     : CBaseWidget(name, parent) {
-    Props()->SetInt("max_x", 50);
+    this->max_size.first = 50;
     this->SetPadding(3, 3);
     if (centered) {
         SetAutoSize(false);
@@ -74,12 +74,12 @@ CTextLabel::CTextLabel(std::string name, IWidget* parent, std::string text, bool
     SetText(text);
 }
 
-void CTextLabel::SetAutoSize(bool autosize) {
-    Props()->SetBool("autosize", autosize);
+void CTextLabel::SetAutoSize(bool _autosize) {
+    this->autosize = _autosize;
 }
 
-void CTextLabel::SetCentered(bool centered) {
-    Props()->SetBool("centered", centered);
+void CTextLabel::SetCentered(bool _centered) {
+    this->centered = _centered;
 }
 
 void CTextLabel::SetPadding(int x, int y) {
@@ -93,11 +93,11 @@ void CTextLabel::SetText(std::string text) {
     auto padding = std::make_pair(Props()->GetInt("padding_x"), Props()->GetInt("padding_y"));
     std::pair<float, float> size;
     g_pGUI->GetRootWindow()->GetFont().stringSize(text, &size.first, &size.second);
-    if (Props()->GetBool("autosize")) {
+    if (this->autosize) {
         SetSize(size.first + padding.first * 2, size.second + padding.second * 2);
     } else {
         // auto ms = GetMaxSize();
-        auto ms = Props()->GetInt("max_x");
+        auto ms = this->max_size.first;
         SetSize(-1, size.second + padding.second * 2);
         if (ms /*.first*/ > 0) {
             std::string txt = WordWrap(text, ms /*.first*/ - 2 * padding.first, g_pGUI->GetRootWindow()->GetFont());
@@ -115,7 +115,7 @@ std::string CTextLabel::GetText() {
 }
 
 void CTextLabel::Draw(int x, int y) {
-    if (Props()->GetBool("centered")) {
+    if (this->centered) {
         auto size = GetSize();
         std::pair<float, float> ssize;
         g_pGUI->GetRootWindow()->GetFont().stringSize(GetText(), &ssize.first, &ssize.second);