diff --git a/llarp/dht/message.cpp b/llarp/dht/message.cpp
index 991ec1ed1..f33f580b8 100644
--- a/llarp/dht/message.cpp
+++ b/llarp/dht/message.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 #include <dht/context.hpp>
 
+#include <util/bencode.hpp>
 #include <dht/messages/findintro.hpp>
 #include <dht/messages/findrouter.hpp>
 #include <dht/messages/gotintro.hpp>
@@ -17,57 +18,57 @@ namespace llarp
       bool firstKey = true;
       bool relayed  = false;
 
-      MessageDecoder(const Key_t &from) : From(from)
+      MessageDecoder(const Key_t &from, bool wasRelayed)
+          : From(from), relayed(wasRelayed)
       {
       }
 
-      static bool
-      on_key(dict_reader *r, llarp_buffer_t *key)
+      bool
+      operator()(llarp_buffer_t *buffer, llarp_buffer_t *key)
       {
         llarp_buffer_t strbuf;
-        MessageDecoder *dec = static_cast< MessageDecoder * >(r->user);
         // check for empty dict
         if(!key)
-          return !dec->firstKey;
+          return !firstKey;
 
         // first key
-        if(dec->firstKey)
+        if(firstKey)
         {
           if(!(*key == "A"))
             return false;
-          if(!bencode_read_string(r->buffer, &strbuf))
+          if(!bencode_read_string(buffer, &strbuf))
             return false;
           // bad msg size?
           if(strbuf.sz != 1)
             return false;
           llarp::LogInfo("Handle DHT message ", *strbuf.base,
-                         " relayed=", dec->relayed);
+                         " relayed=", relayed);
           switch(*strbuf.base)
           {
             case 'F':
-              dec->msg.reset(new FindIntroMessage(dec->From, dec->relayed));
+              msg.reset(new FindIntroMessage(From, relayed));
               break;
             case 'R':
-              if(dec->relayed)
-                dec->msg.reset(new RelayedFindRouterMessage(dec->From));
+              if(relayed)
+                msg.reset(new RelayedFindRouterMessage(From));
               else
-                dec->msg.reset(new FindRouterMessage(dec->From));
+                msg.reset(new FindRouterMessage(From));
               break;
             case 'S':
-              dec->msg.reset(new GotRouterMessage(dec->From, dec->relayed));
+              msg.reset(new GotRouterMessage(From, relayed));
               break;
             case 'I':
-              dec->msg.reset(new PublishIntroMessage());
+              msg.reset(new PublishIntroMessage());
               break;
             case 'G':
-              if(dec->relayed)
+              if(relayed)
               {
-                dec->msg.reset(new RelayedGotIntroMessage());
+                msg.reset(new RelayedGotIntroMessage());
                 break;
               }
               else
               {
-                dec->msg.reset(new GotIntroMessage(dec->From));
+                msg.reset(new GotIntroMessage(From));
                 break;
               }
             default:
@@ -75,23 +76,19 @@ namespace llarp
               // bad msg type
               return false;
           }
-          dec->firstKey = false;
-          return dec->msg != nullptr;
+          firstKey = false;
+          return msg != nullptr;
         }
         else
-          return dec->msg->DecodeKey(*key, r->buffer);
+          return msg->DecodeKey(*key, buffer);
       }
     };
 
     IMessage::Ptr_t
     DecodeMesssage(const Key_t &from, llarp_buffer_t *buf, bool relayed)
     {
-      MessageDecoder dec(from);
-      dec.relayed = relayed;
-      dict_reader r;
-      r.user   = &dec;
-      r.on_key = &MessageDecoder::on_key;
-      if(!bencode_read_dict(buf, &r))
+      MessageDecoder dec(from, relayed);
+      if(!bencode_read_dict(dec, buf))
         return nullptr;
 
       return std::move(dec.msg);
@@ -99,25 +96,25 @@ namespace llarp
 
     struct ListDecoder
     {
-      ListDecoder(const Key_t &from, std::vector< IMessage::Ptr_t > &list)
-          : From(from), l(list)
+      ListDecoder(bool hasRelayed, const Key_t &from,
+                  std::vector< IMessage::Ptr_t > &list)
+          : relayed(hasRelayed), From(from), l(list)
       {
       }
 
-      bool relayed = false;
+      bool relayed;
       const Key_t &From;
       std::vector< IMessage::Ptr_t > &l;
 
-      static bool
-      on_item(list_reader *r, bool has)
+      bool
+      operator()(llarp_buffer_t *buffer, bool has)
       {
-        ListDecoder *dec = static_cast< ListDecoder * >(r->user);
         if(!has)
           return true;
-        auto msg = DecodeMesssage(dec->From, r->buffer, dec->relayed);
+        auto msg = DecodeMesssage(From, buffer, relayed);
         if(msg)
         {
-          dec->l.emplace_back(std::move(msg));
+          l.emplace_back(std::move(msg));
           return true;
         }
         else
@@ -129,12 +126,8 @@ namespace llarp
     DecodeMesssageList(Key_t from, llarp_buffer_t *buf,
                        std::vector< IMessage::Ptr_t > &list, bool relayed)
     {
-      ListDecoder dec(from, list);
-      dec.relayed = relayed;
-      list_reader r;
-      r.user    = &dec;
-      r.on_item = &ListDecoder::on_item;
-      return bencode_read_list(buf, &r);
+      ListDecoder dec(relayed, from, list);
+      return bencode_read_list(dec, buf);
     }
   }  // namespace dht
 }  // namespace llarp
diff --git a/llarp/messages/link_message.cpp b/llarp/messages/link_message.cpp
index 82dc49150..096c95973 100644
--- a/llarp/messages/link_message.cpp
+++ b/llarp/messages/link_message.cpp
@@ -38,13 +38,10 @@ namespace llarp
   }
 
   bool
-  InboundMessageParser::OnKey(dict_reader* r, llarp_buffer_t* key)
+  InboundMessageParser::operator()(llarp_buffer_t* buffer, llarp_buffer_t* key)
   {
-    InboundMessageParser* handler =
-        static_cast< InboundMessageParser* >(r->user);
-
     // we are reading the first key
-    if(handler->firstkey)
+    if(firstkey)
     {
       llarp_buffer_t strbuf;
       // check for empty dict
@@ -57,7 +54,7 @@ namespace llarp
         return false;
       }
 
-      if(!bencode_read_string(r->buffer, &strbuf))
+      if(!bencode_read_string(buffer, &strbuf))
       {
         llarp::LogWarn("could not read value of message type");
         return false;
@@ -74,23 +71,23 @@ namespace llarp
       switch(*strbuf.cur)
       {
         case 'i':
-          handler->msg = &handler->holder->i;
-          isLIM        = true;
+          msg   = &holder->i;
+          isLIM = true;
           break;
         case 'd':
-          handler->msg = &handler->holder->d;
+          msg = &holder->d;
           break;
         case 'u':
-          handler->msg = &handler->holder->u;
+          msg = &holder->u;
           break;
         case 'm':
-          handler->msg = &handler->holder->m;
+          msg = &holder->m;
           break;
         case 'c':
-          handler->msg = &handler->holder->c;
+          msg = &holder->c;
           break;
         case 'x':
-          handler->msg = &handler->holder->x;
+          msg = &holder->x;
           break;
         default:
           return false;
@@ -98,20 +95,19 @@ namespace llarp
 
       if(!isLIM)
       {
-        const std::string host =
-            "RX_" + RouterID(handler->from->GetPubKey()).ToString();
-        METRICS_DYNAMIC_INCREMENT(handler->msg->Name(), host.c_str());
+        const std::string host = "RX_" + RouterID(from->GetPubKey()).ToString();
+        METRICS_DYNAMIC_INCREMENT(msg->Name(), host.c_str());
       }
 
-      handler->msg->session = handler->from;
-      handler->firstkey     = false;
+      msg->session = from;
+      firstkey     = false;
       return true;
     }
     // check for last element
     if(!key)
-      return handler->MessageDone();
+      return MessageDone();
 
-    return handler->msg->DecodeKey(*key, r->buffer);
+    return msg->DecodeKey(*key, buffer);
   }
 
   bool
@@ -135,12 +131,11 @@ namespace llarp
       llarp::LogWarn("no link session");
       return false;
     }
-    reader.user   = this;
-    reader.on_key = &OnKey;
-    from          = src;
-    firstkey      = true;
+
+    from     = src;
+    firstkey = true;
     ManagedBuffer copy(buf);
-    return bencode_read_dict(&copy.underlying, &reader);
+    return bencode_read_dict(*this, &copy.underlying);
   }
 
   void
diff --git a/llarp/messages/link_message_parser.hpp b/llarp/messages/link_message_parser.hpp
index 69eae55ba..4d23a9f01 100644
--- a/llarp/messages/link_message_parser.hpp
+++ b/llarp/messages/link_message_parser.hpp
@@ -16,10 +16,9 @@ namespace llarp
   {
     InboundMessageParser(AbstractRouter* router);
     ~InboundMessageParser();
-    dict_reader reader;
 
-    static bool
-    OnKey(dict_reader* r, llarp_buffer_t* buf);
+    bool
+    operator()(llarp_buffer_t* buffer, llarp_buffer_t* key);
 
     /// start processig message from a link session
     bool
diff --git a/llarp/messages/relay_commit.cpp b/llarp/messages/relay_commit.cpp
index 02f6d7f46..2791f31ce 100644
--- a/llarp/messages/relay_commit.cpp
+++ b/llarp/messages/relay_commit.cpp
@@ -9,6 +9,8 @@
 #include <util/logic.hpp>
 #include <nodedb.hpp>
 
+#include <functional>
+
 namespace llarp
 {
   LR_CommitMessage::~LR_CommitMessage()
@@ -113,47 +115,44 @@ namespace llarp
   }
 
   bool
-  LR_CommitRecord::OnKey(dict_reader* r, llarp_buffer_t* key)
+  LR_CommitRecord::OnKey(llarp_buffer_t* buffer, llarp_buffer_t* key)
   {
     if(!key)
       return true;
 
-    LR_CommitRecord* self = static_cast< LR_CommitRecord* >(r->user);
-
     bool read = false;
 
-    if(!BEncodeMaybeReadDictEntry("c", self->commkey, read, *key, r->buffer))
+    if(!BEncodeMaybeReadDictEntry("c", commkey, read, *key, buffer))
       return false;
-    if(!BEncodeMaybeReadDictEntry("i", self->nextHop, read, *key, r->buffer))
+    if(!BEncodeMaybeReadDictEntry("i", nextHop, read, *key, buffer))
       return false;
-    if(!BEncodeMaybeReadDictInt("l", self->lifetime, read, *key, r->buffer))
+    if(!BEncodeMaybeReadDictInt("l", lifetime, read, *key, buffer))
       return false;
-    if(!BEncodeMaybeReadDictEntry("n", self->tunnelNonce, read, *key,
-                                  r->buffer))
+    if(!BEncodeMaybeReadDictEntry("n", tunnelNonce, read, *key, buffer))
       return false;
-    if(!BEncodeMaybeReadDictEntry("r", self->rxid, read, *key, r->buffer))
+    if(!BEncodeMaybeReadDictEntry("r", rxid, read, *key, buffer))
       return false;
-    if(!BEncodeMaybeReadDictEntry("t", self->txid, read, *key, r->buffer))
+    if(!BEncodeMaybeReadDictEntry("t", txid, read, *key, buffer))
       return false;
     if(*key == "u")
     {
-      self->nextRC = std::make_unique< RouterContact >();
-      return self->nextRC->BDecode(r->buffer);
+      nextRC = std::make_unique< RouterContact >();
+      return nextRC->BDecode(buffer);
     }
-    if(!BEncodeMaybeReadVersion("v", self->version, LLARP_PROTO_VERSION, read,
-                                *key, r->buffer))
+    if(!BEncodeMaybeReadVersion("v", version, LLARP_PROTO_VERSION, read, *key,
+                                buffer))
       return false;
     if(*key == "w")
     {
       // check for duplicate
-      if(self->work)
+      if(work)
       {
         llarp::LogWarn("duplicate POW in LRCR");
         return false;
       }
 
-      self->work = std::make_unique< PoW >();
-      return self->work->BDecode(r->buffer);
+      work = std::make_unique< PoW >();
+      return work->BDecode(buffer);
     }
     return read;
   }
@@ -161,10 +160,9 @@ namespace llarp
   bool
   LR_CommitRecord::BDecode(llarp_buffer_t* buf)
   {
-    dict_reader r;
-    r.user   = this;
-    r.on_key = &OnKey;
-    return bencode_read_dict(buf, &r);
+    using namespace std::placeholders;
+    return bencode_read_dict(std::bind(&LR_CommitRecord::OnKey, this, _1, _2),
+                             buf);
   }
 
   bool
diff --git a/llarp/messages/relay_commit.hpp b/llarp/messages/relay_commit.hpp
index 60ca6ce52..561d9f449 100644
--- a/llarp/messages/relay_commit.hpp
+++ b/llarp/messages/relay_commit.hpp
@@ -41,8 +41,8 @@ namespace llarp
     operator==(const LR_CommitRecord &other) const;
 
    private:
-    static bool
-    OnKey(dict_reader *r, llarp_buffer_t *buf);
+    bool
+    OnKey(llarp_buffer_t *buffer, llarp_buffer_t *key);
   };
 
   struct LR_CommitMessage : public ILinkMessage
diff --git a/llarp/routing/message_parser.cpp b/llarp/routing/message_parser.cpp
index 261c256f5..770e7be39 100644
--- a/llarp/routing/message_parser.cpp
+++ b/llarp/routing/message_parser.cpp
@@ -32,12 +32,10 @@ namespace llarp
 
     InboundMessageParser::InboundMessageParser()
         : firstKey(false)
-        , key('\0')
+        , ourKey('\0')
         , msg(nullptr)
         , m_Holder(std::make_unique< MessageHolder >())
     {
-      reader.user   = this;
-      reader.on_key = &OnKey;
     }
 
     InboundMessageParser::~InboundMessageParser()
@@ -45,76 +43,74 @@ namespace llarp
     }
 
     bool
-    InboundMessageParser::OnKey(dict_reader* r, llarp_buffer_t* key)
+    InboundMessageParser::operator()(llarp_buffer_t* buffer,
+                                     llarp_buffer_t* key)
     {
-      InboundMessageParser* self =
-          static_cast< InboundMessageParser* >(r->user);
-
-      if(key == nullptr && self->firstKey)
+      if(key == nullptr && firstKey)
       {
         // empty dict
         return false;
       }
       if(!key)
         return true;
-      if(self->firstKey)
+      if(firstKey)
       {
         llarp_buffer_t strbuf;
         if(!(*key == "A"))
           return false;
-        if(!bencode_read_string(r->buffer, &strbuf))
+        if(!bencode_read_string(buffer, &strbuf))
           return false;
         if(strbuf.sz != 1)
           return false;
-        self->key = *strbuf.cur;
-        LogDebug("routing message '", self->key, "'");
-        switch(self->key)
+        ourKey = *strbuf.cur;
+        LogDebug("routing message '", key, "'");
+        switch(ourKey)
         {
           case 'D':
-            self->msg = &self->m_Holder->D;
+            msg = &m_Holder->D;
             break;
           case 'L':
-            self->msg = &self->m_Holder->L;
+            msg = &m_Holder->L;
             break;
           case 'M':
-            self->msg = &self->m_Holder->M;
+            msg = &m_Holder->M;
             break;
           case 'P':
-            self->msg = &self->m_Holder->P;
+            msg = &m_Holder->P;
             break;
           case 'T':
-            self->msg = &self->m_Holder->T;
+            msg = &m_Holder->T;
             break;
           case 'H':
-            self->msg = &self->m_Holder->H;
+            msg = &m_Holder->H;
             break;
           case 'I':
-            self->msg = &self->m_Holder->I;
+            msg = &m_Holder->I;
             break;
           case 'G':
-            self->msg = &self->m_Holder->G;
+            msg = &m_Holder->G;
             break;
           case 'J':
-            self->msg = &self->m_Holder->J;
+            msg = &m_Holder->J;
             break;
           case 'O':
-            self->msg = &self->m_Holder->O;
+            msg = &m_Holder->O;
             break;
           case 'U':
-            self->msg = &self->m_Holder->U;
+            msg = &m_Holder->U;
             break;
           case 'C':
-            self->msg = &self->m_Holder->C;
+            msg = &m_Holder->C;
             break;
           default:
             llarp::LogError("invalid routing message id: ", *strbuf.cur);
         }
-        self->firstKey = false;
-        return self->msg != nullptr;
+        firstKey = false;
+        return msg != nullptr;
       }
       else
       {
-        return self->msg->DecodeKey(*key, r->buffer);
+        return msg->DecodeKey(*key, buffer);
       }
     }
 
@@ -129,13 +125,13 @@ namespace llarp
       firstKey    = true;
       ManagedBuffer copiedBuf(buf);
       auto& copy = copiedBuf.underlying;
-      if(bencode_read_dict(&copy, &reader))
+      if(bencode_read_dict(*this, &copy))
       {
         msg->from = from;
         result    = msg->HandleMessage(h, r);
         if(!result)
         {
-          llarp::LogWarn("Failed to handle inbound routing message ", key);
+          llarp::LogWarn("Failed to handle inbound routing message ", ourKey);
         }
       }
       else
diff --git a/llarp/routing/message_parser.hpp b/llarp/routing/message_parser.hpp
index 3628ed01e..5c0d7f78d 100644
--- a/llarp/routing/message_parser.hpp
+++ b/llarp/routing/message_parser.hpp
@@ -25,13 +25,12 @@ namespace llarp
       ParseMessageBuffer(const llarp_buffer_t& buf, IMessageHandler* handler,
                          const PathID_t& from, AbstractRouter* r);
 
-     private:
-      static bool
-      OnKey(dict_reader* r, llarp_buffer_t* key);
+      bool
+      operator()(llarp_buffer_t* buffer, llarp_buffer_t* key);
 
+     private:
       bool firstKey;
-      char key;
-      dict_reader reader;
+      char ourKey;
 
       struct MessageHolder;
 
diff --git a/llarp/util/bencode.cpp b/llarp/util/bencode.cpp
index 8c4da586b..b8b32b3ee 100644
--- a/llarp/util/bencode.cpp
+++ b/llarp/util/bencode.cpp
@@ -121,59 +121,3 @@ bencode_end(llarp_buffer_t* buff)
   assert(std::distance(std::begin(letter), std::end(letter)) == 1);
   return buff->write(std::begin(letter), std::end(letter));
 }
-
-bool
-bencode_read_dict(llarp_buffer_t* buff, struct dict_reader* r)
-{
-  if(buff->size_left() < 2)  // minimum case is 'de'
-    return false;
-  llarp_buffer_t strbuf;      // temporary buffer for current element
-  r->buffer = buff;           // set up dict_reader
-  if(*r->buffer->cur != 'd')  // ensure is a dictionary
-    return false;
-  r->buffer->cur++;
-  while(r->buffer->size_left() && *r->buffer->cur != 'e')
-  {
-    if(bencode_read_string(r->buffer, &strbuf))
-    {
-      if(!r->on_key(r, &strbuf))  // check for early abort
-        return false;
-    }
-    else
-      return false;
-  }
-
-  if(*r->buffer->cur != 'e')
-  {
-    llarp::LogWarn("reading dict not ending on 'e'");
-    // make sure we're at dictionary end
-    return false;
-  }
-  r->buffer->cur++;
-  return r->on_key(r, nullptr);
-}
-
-bool
-bencode_read_list(llarp_buffer_t* buff, struct list_reader* r)
-{
-  if(buff->size_left() < 2)  // minimum case is 'le'
-    return false;
-  r->buffer = buff;
-  if(*r->buffer->cur != 'l')  // ensure is a list
-  {
-    llarp::LogWarn("bencode::bencode_read_list - expecting list got ",
-                   *r->buffer->cur);
-    return false;
-  }
-
-  r->buffer->cur++;
-  while(r->buffer->size_left() && *r->buffer->cur != 'e')
-  {
-    if(!r->on_item(r, true))  // check for early abort
-      return false;
-  }
-  if(*r->buffer->cur != 'e')  // make sure we're at a list end
-    return false;
-  r->buffer->cur++;
-  return r->on_item(r, false);
-}
diff --git a/llarp/util/bencode.h b/llarp/util/bencode.h
index 1da18078d..04fe12c8a 100644
--- a/llarp/util/bencode.h
+++ b/llarp/util/bencode.h
@@ -41,38 +41,4 @@ bencode_start_dict(llarp_buffer_t* buff);
 bool
 bencode_end(llarp_buffer_t* buff);
 
-struct dict_reader
-{
-  /// makes passing data into on_key easier
-  llarp_buffer_t* buffer;
-  /// not currently used, maybe used in the future to pass additional
-  /// information to on_key
-  void* user;
-  /**
-   * called when we got a key string, return true to continue iteration
-   * called with null key on done iterating
-   */
-  std::function< bool(dict_reader*, llarp_buffer_t*) > on_key;
-};
-
-bool
-bencode_read_dict(llarp_buffer_t* buff, struct dict_reader* r);
-
-struct list_reader
-{
-  /// makes passing data into on_item easier
-  llarp_buffer_t* buffer;
-  /// not currently used, maybe used in the future to pass additional
-  /// information to on_item
-  void* user;
-  /**
-   * called with true when we got an element, return true to continue iteration
-   * called with false on iteration completion
-   */
-  std::function< bool(list_reader*, bool) > on_item;
-};
-
-bool
-bencode_read_list(llarp_buffer_t* buff, struct list_reader* r);
-
 #endif
diff --git a/llarp/util/bencode.hpp b/llarp/util/bencode.hpp
index 91343ddce..005a25c77 100644
--- a/llarp/util/bencode.hpp
+++ b/llarp/util/bencode.hpp
@@ -140,28 +140,6 @@ namespace llarp
     return bencode_end(buf);
   }
 
-  template < typename Array >
-  bool
-  BEncodeReadArray(Array& array, llarp_buffer_t* buf)
-  {
-    if(*buf->cur != 'l')  // ensure is a list
-      return false;
-
-    buf->cur++;
-    size_t idx = 0;
-    while(buf->size_left() && *buf->cur != 'e')
-    {
-      if(idx >= array.size())
-        return false;
-      if(!array[idx++].BDecode(buf))
-        return false;
-    }
-    if(*buf->cur != 'e')  // make sure we're at a list end
-      return false;
-    buf->cur++;
-    return true;
-  }
-
   template < typename Iter >
   bool
   BEncodeWriteList(Iter itr, Iter end, llarp_buffer_t* buf)
@@ -176,44 +154,97 @@ namespace llarp
     return bencode_end(buf);
   }
 
+  template < typename Sink >
+  bool
+  bencode_read_dict(Sink&& sink, llarp_buffer_t* buffer)
+  {
+    if(buffer->size_left() < 2)  // minimum case is 'de'
+      return false;
+    if(*buffer->cur != 'd')  // ensure is a dictionary
+      return false;
+    buffer->cur++;
+    while(buffer->size_left() && *buffer->cur != 'e')
+    {
+      llarp_buffer_t strbuf;  // temporary buffer for current element
+      if(bencode_read_string(buffer, &strbuf))
+      {
+        if(!sink(buffer, &strbuf))  // check for early abort
+          return false;
+      }
+      else
+        return false;
+    }
+
+    if(*buffer->cur != 'e')
+    {
+      llarp::LogWarn("reading dict not ending on 'e'");
+      // make sure we're at dictionary end
+      return false;
+    }
+    buffer->cur++;
+    return sink(buffer, nullptr);
+  }
+
+  template < typename Sink >
+  bool
+  bencode_read_list(Sink&& sink, llarp_buffer_t* buffer)
+  {
+    if(buffer->size_left() < 2)  // minimum case is 'le'
+      return false;
+    if(*buffer->cur != 'l')  // ensure is a list
+    {
+      llarp::LogWarn("bencode::bencode_read_list - expecting list got ",
+                     *buffer->cur);
+      return false;
+    }
+
+    buffer->cur++;
+    while(buffer->size_left() && *buffer->cur != 'e')
+    {
+      if(!sink(buffer, true))  // check for early abort
+        return false;
+    }
+    if(*buffer->cur != 'e')  // make sure we're at a list end
+      return false;
+    buffer->cur++;
+    return sink(buffer, false);
+  }
+
+  template < typename Array >
+  bool
+  BEncodeReadArray(Array& array, llarp_buffer_t* buf)
+  {
+    size_t idx = 0;
+    return bencode_read_list(
+        [&array, &idx](llarp_buffer_t* buffer, bool has) {
+          if(has)
+          {
+            if(idx >= array.size())
+              return false;
+            if(!array[idx++].BDecode(buffer))
+              return false;
+          }
+          return true;
+        },
+        buf);
+  }
+
   template < typename List_t >
   bool
   BEncodeReadList(List_t& result, llarp_buffer_t* buf)
   {
-    if(*buf->cur != 'l')  // ensure is a list
-      return false;
-
-    buf->cur++;
-    while(buf->size_left() && *buf->cur != 'e')
-    {
-      if(!result.emplace(result.end())->BDecode(buf))
-        return false;
-    }
-    if(*buf->cur != 'e')  // make sure we're at a list end
-      return false;
-    buf->cur++;
-    return true;
-  }
-
-  template < typename T >
-  bool
-  BEncodeReadSet(std::set< T >& result, llarp_buffer_t* buf)
-  {
-    if(*buf->cur != 'l')  // ensure is a list
-      return false;
-
-    buf->cur++;
-    while(buf->size_left() && *buf->cur != 'e')
-    {
-      T item;
-      if(!item.BDecode(buf))
-        return false;
-      return result.insert(item).second;
-    }
-    if(*buf->cur != 'e')  // make sure we're at a list end
-      return false;
-    buf->cur++;
-    return true;
+    return bencode_read_list(
+        [&result](llarp_buffer_t* buffer, bool has) {
+          if(has)
+          {
+            if(!result.emplace(result.end())->BDecode(buffer))
+            {
+              return false;
+            }
+          }
+          return true;
+        },
+        buf);
   }
 
   template < typename List_t >
@@ -245,19 +276,16 @@ namespace llarp
     virtual bool
     BDecode(llarp_buffer_t* buf)
     {
-      dict_reader r;
-      r.user   = this;
-      r.on_key = &OnKey;
-      return bencode_read_dict(buf, &r);
+      return bencode_read_dict(*this, buf);
     }
 
     // TODO: check for shadowed values elsewhere
     uint64_t version = 0;
 
-    static bool
-    OnKey(dict_reader* r, llarp_buffer_t* k)
+    bool
+    operator()(llarp_buffer_t* buffer, llarp_buffer_t* key)
     {
-      return static_cast< IBEncodeMessage* >(r->user)->HandleKey(k, r->buffer);
+      return HandleKey(key, buffer);
     }
 
     bool
diff --git a/test/util/test_llarp_util_bencode.cpp b/test/util/test_llarp_util_bencode.cpp
index b84517f23..5453baac4 100644
--- a/test/util/test_llarp_util_bencode.cpp
+++ b/test/util/test_llarp_util_bencode.cpp
@@ -387,15 +387,15 @@ TEST_P(DictReadTest, readtest)
 
   std::vector< std::string > result;
 
-  dict_reader reader{nullptr, nullptr, [&](dict_reader*, llarp_buffer_t* buf) {
-                       if(buf)
-                       {
-                         result.emplace_back(buf->base, buf->base + buf->sz);
-                       }
-                       return true;
-                     }};
-
-  ASSERT_TRUE(bencode_read_dict(&buffer, &reader));
+  ASSERT_TRUE(llarp::bencode_read_dict(
+      [&](llarp_buffer_t*, llarp_buffer_t* key) {
+        if(key)
+        {
+          result.emplace_back(key->base, key->base + key->sz);
+        }
+        return true;
+      },
+      &buffer));
   ASSERT_EQ(result, d.output);
 }
 
@@ -422,18 +422,17 @@ TEST_P(ListReadTest, readtest)
 
   std::vector< std::string > result;
 
-  list_reader reader{nullptr, nullptr, [&](list_reader* r, bool cont) {
-                       if(cont)
-                       {
-                         auto b = r->buffer;
-                         llarp_buffer_t tmp;
-                         bencode_read_string(b, &tmp);
-                         result.emplace_back(tmp.base, tmp.base + tmp.sz);
-                       }
-                       return true;
-                     }};
-
-  ASSERT_TRUE(bencode_read_list(&buffer, &reader));
+  ASSERT_TRUE(llarp::bencode_read_list(
+      [&](llarp_buffer_t* b, bool cont) {
+        if(cont)
+        {
+          llarp_buffer_t tmp;
+          bencode_read_string(b, &tmp);
+          result.emplace_back(tmp.base, tmp.base + tmp.sz);
+        }
+        return true;
+      },
+      &buffer));
   ASSERT_EQ(result, d.output);
 }
 
@@ -446,8 +445,6 @@ INSTANTIATE_TEST_CASE_P(TestBencode, ListReadTest,
 TEST(TestBencode, ReadDictEmptyBuffer)
 {
   llarp_buffer_t buf((byte_t*)nullptr, 0);
-  dict_reader reader;
-  reader.on_key = [](dict_reader*, llarp_buffer_t*) -> bool { return true; };
-  reader.user   = nullptr;
-  ASSERT_FALSE(bencode_read_dict(&buf, &reader));
+  ASSERT_FALSE(llarp::bencode_read_dict(
+      [](llarp_buffer_t*, llarp_buffer_t*) { return true; }, &buf));
 }