#daenitalks✨

[daeniradraconis]

Hey darlings 💛

Wish I had better news to share with you today, but here we go…

As some of you know I lost my aunt earlier this year due to a heart condition. Recently, we found out from her doctor that it’s something that runs in the family, specifically among the women on her side. So, we all got checked.

Turns out, I’m the lucky one who ended up with the same condition.

The good news is we caught it early.

The bad news is I’ll need surgery.

And as if that wasn’t enough, during all the tests, we also found out that I have cancer. So yeah… turns out being constantly tired lately wasn’t just bad sleep. 🙃

The tricky part is that I can’t have heart surgery until I’m cancer-free. So I’ve started chemo, and between the pain, the treatments, and everything else… life’s been rough lately.

So I’m going to be really honest with you — I need to put writing on hold for a bit. Right now, I’m not in the right headspace to give my stories the love they deserve. I want to come back when I can write with joy and creativity, not just push through.

But I will come back — once I’ve got the energy, both physically and mentally. Promise!

And don’t worry, I still want to keep things light and chatty on this blog. Not trying to turn this into a sad space, just being real with you. 💛

[daeniradraconis]

It’s the same here in the Netherlands😭feels like someone left the oven on! I miss my chilly, rainy little country!

why in loving fuck is it this hot in scotland I AM DYING HERE

[daeniradraconis]

Omg, we’re about to get some fire pics! He is absolutely slaying in that yellow jersey! 🔥💛

Yeah, the cup is the real goal (i know!) but I’m here for the aesthetics too. Priorities, hockey fans!

[daeniradraconis]

Sooo, we just booked a trip to Sweden to hang with friends and watch some hockey. We spent about 670€ on tickets for FOUR games. That’s around 760$.

And honestly? It’s kinda crazy how cheap it is to see legends like Crosby, Nylander, Pasta, and all the stars here. Meanwhile, you guys in America and Canada pay that much for just ONE NHL game. Like, seriously? I feel y’all. 😭💔

Europe hockey fans are living the dream right now. But honestly, we deserve it. After all, we’re the ones waking up at ridiculous hours just to catch the games live!

[daeniradraconis]

I just live when Craig talks about Willy. Unlike past coaches, Berube seems to really like him and William seems also to truly enjoy his coaching. I loved when they say they just talk about anything or a recent practice session where everyone is skating and Berube and William are just talking on the side.

I think Willy is totally Berube’s favorite. 😭 Bless his soul, he’s always hanging around him during practice. But honestly, I think Willy really needed this. A lot of fans think the coach is just some guy standing behind the bench, and the vibes in the rink are always the same because, like—hello—you’re an NHL pro athlete, how bad can it be?

But nope. Your coach is your boss, and they create the environment. The culture. And that stuff matters so much. You need a space where everyone can fit in with their different personalities. You need a coach who talks to and treats people in ways that actually connect with who they are.

And let’s be real—Willy got a LOT of hate from fans, even when he was the only consistent playoff performer on the team. So seeing that now we have a coach who gets him, who has his back and stands up for him? It just warms my heart.♥️

And it’s not just about drawing up plays or having a sharp hockey brain. Being a great coach takes serious IQ, EQ, and actual human connection. And Berube got that rare mix. That kind of emotional intelligence isn’t easy to find in pro sports, but he just gets people. And most importantly—he gets Willy. And that makes all the difference.

Because at this level, yes—everyone’s talented. Everyone can skate, shoot, and battle. But what separates teams isn’t just skill, it’s culture. It’s how supported the players feel, how much trust there is between the bench and the locker room. When a coach knows how to handle different personalities—especially the quieter, more introspective ones like Willy—it creates space for players to actually thrive, not just survive.

And we can see now just how much we needed this shift in coaching!

[daeniradraconis]

Honest Take After Game 7

I wasn’t going to write this.

I told myself I’d just rant to my friends, let off some steam, and move on. I’m used to this. We all are. But this year, something snapped. Not because the Leafs lost—again—but because of the excuses. The blind loyalty. The gaslighting of fans who dare to say the obvious: this isn’t working. And it hasn’t been for years.

Let’s talk about Mitch Marner.

And first, let’s get one thing straight—because this part should go without saying: harassing, threatening, or physically confronting a player or their family is disgusting and completely unacceptable. If you do that, you’re not a fan—you’re a coward.

But criticizing a player’s performance? That’s not abuse. That’s called holding someone accountable. And Marner? He’s overdue.

Yes, he’s skilled. Yes, he’s done great things in the regular season. Yes, he’s a hometown kid with a good heart. But this is the NHL. This is Toronto. And for years now, his playoff performance has not matched his paycheck—or his role. Every year, the same vanishing act. Every year, the same sugarcoated defense from a certain corner of the fanbase and media: “But look how far we got!” “But look at his regular season!” “But look how nice he is!”

ENOUGH.

This year was not a step forward. It wasn’t a breakthrough. We got bounced again, after barely squeaking through a Senators team that should never have taken us that far. For the amount of money, time, and supposed “elite talent” packed into this core, this season was another failure. And the way we lost? Passive. Uninspired. Gutless.

We’ve changed the GM. 3 times! We’ve changed coaches. Three head coaches, around 15 assistant coaches! That’s not a made-up number. That’s so many different voices in the room trying to get something out of this core.

The only thing that hasn’t changed? Matthews, Marner, Nylander, and Tavares. (And honestly, I’m not even going to focus on Tavares right now—chances are, he either walks or re-signs for a reasonable number. Either way, he’s not the biggest part of the problem anymore.)

And of those four, the only one who consistently shows up in the playoffs is Nylander. Even when he’s not perfect, he fights. He produces. He gives a shit. We beat Ottawa because of him—not Auston, and definitely not Mitch.

Matthews? I love him. I do. And yes, he was injured. But again—he disappeared. You don’t pay $11+ million to someone who disappears when it counts. The “C” on his chest comes with responsibility. You want to be treated like a superstar? Then play like one when it matters most. Or be honest about what you’re capable of. Either way, he’s not untouchable anymore. None of them should be.

And Marner? I want him to go. Not because I hate him—I don’t. I love what he brings when he’s on. I think he’s a fantastic guy off the ice. But it just doesn’t work here. Maybe it’s the market. Maybe it’s the pressure. Maybe it’s something deeper. But it’s not happening. Not here. He’s a ghost in the playoffs. We’ve all seen him dominate internationally, like with Team Canada. He can perform. But he doesn’t do it in Toronto. He can't thrive in this market.

So let him walk. Use the cap space. Reset this thing.

And for the love of everything holy, stop bullying fans who say this. We’re not “fake fans.” We’re not “hating.” We’re just tired of watching the same story on repeat and being told to clap for it like trained seals. At some point, you stop making excuses and start demanding more.

Now let’s talk about this whole “Toronto is too hard to play in” narrative.

I’ve seen it all now: “It’s the media’s fault.” “Fans expect too much.” “This market is toxic.”

Are you kidding me?!

The Eagles got booed off the field at halftime of Week 1 after winning the Super Bowl. Argentina lost to Saudi Arabia and the entire country lost its mind. Messi got torched in the press and harassed by the "fans". And guess what? Messi responded by delivering a legendary tournament. England fans have booed their national team off the pitch at Wembley for years. Still, that squad made it to a Euro final. Top athletes perform under pressure. They don’t whine about it!

So no, Toronto isn’t “too hard.” It’s real. That’s the job. If you want the money, the glory, the fame—you take the pressure too. And if you can’t handle that, that’s fine. But then this isn’t the market for you. Don’t gaslight the people who pay to support you.

And while we’re at it—don’t fall for the Florida PR.

Paul Maurice wants us to believe he’s concerned for our players now? The same guy who threw his goalies under the bus on national TV when he coached the Leafs? He’s not being kind. He’s playing chess. The message from Florida is clear: “Please keep everything the same so we can beat you again next year.”

And some of you are quoting Matthew fucking Tkachuk like he’s Gandhi! The guy who’s doing documentaries, magazine covers, and podcasts during the playoffs is telling us that Toronto cares too much? Spare me. You think elite athletes don’t want attention? You think guys don’t dream of playing in Madison Square Garden or at the Bernabéu or in front of Leafs Nation?!

You know what fans in Florida do when the team loses? Nothing. They don't even notice. If that’s the environment you want—go there. But don’t come at us for caring. If Leafs fans didn’t care, if we weren’t this loud, this intense, this present, there wouldn’t even be a team to complain about. You don’t like pressure? Don’t sign the contract.

And no, we don’t want perfection! We want fight. We want players who don’t fold the second things get hard. We want honesty. Accountability. Pride. Not rehearsed media clichés after another sleepwalked elimination game.

If it’s a mental health issue—say that. Get help. Bring in sports psychologists. Do the work. But don’t blame the market. Don’t blame the media. And don’t you dare blame the fans.

Because we’re still here. After all of it. Paying some of the most expensive ticket prices in the league. Watching every second. Cheering. Crying. Hoping. Still believing, even when the team doesn’t give us a reason to.

That’s what real fandom looks like.

So yeah—I want change. And I want Marner gone. Not because I’m angry at him. But because this has gone on long enough. And I’m not spending another year being told this is the best we can do.

If you’re gonna lose—lose with your head high, fighting to the last second. Not like this. Not like that Game 7.

Own it. Learn from it. Or get out of the way.

[daeniradraconis]

hey darlings 💛

quick update: the new chapter’s gonna be a little late. i’m in the hospital right now dealing with some health stuff, and they just told me i won’t be going home today, so they’re keeping me in for a bit.

sooo the chapter will be coming early next week instead! hoping everything settles down and i can still get the next one out on saturday like usual 🤞

thanks for being patient and sweet — love you all lots 💕✨

[daeniradraconis]

Nooo they showed the clip of stollie vomiting 😭😭let the poor guy have a moment of peace. Let him vomit. He has a concussion (I am assuming, not a doctor obv)

Yes 😭 it was heartbreaking to watch Stolie go down. I’m sure he wanted to push through and keep playing. And let’s not forget, this is the second time Bennett has concussed a Leafs player in just six playoff games against the Panthers, and he’s faced zero consequences. How is that even acceptable?

[daeniradraconis]

Tonight’s game feels like a tipping point.

If Matthews and Marner vanish again when it matters most, it won’t just be another playoff collapse — it might be the end of an era. And honestly? If they lose, I’ll be upset, sure, but also strangely at peace. Because maybe that loss finally forces the changes we’ve all been waiting for. Whatever happens, it feels like something’s going to break.

But I love the boys. I love this team. And I really, really hope they all show up tonight. 🫶🏻

[daeniradraconis]

Game 1 starting at 8 PM? That’s 2 AM for me, so I’ll be wide awake until 5. 😭 My skin’s already losing it, and sleep deprivation isn’t helping...NHL fan in Europe struggle is real.💀

[daeniradraconis]

So I just read your new Luke Hughes fanfic and I’m obsessed! Seriously, you never miss! I love how your characters actually talk to each other. Like when the reader told Luke it’s okay to have bad days? That was so real!!!! And this line? “This is what a relationship is. You show up when it’s hard. You hold space when the other person’s struggling…” Ughhh, it hit so hard! It’s such a healthy way to show love, and I love that you base your stories on real relationship struggles instead of just drama for the sake of it. Anyway, just wanted to say thank you for writing this. I immediately added your Luke Hughes series to my favorites.

Aww this is such a sweet comment!! 🥹 I can’t even tell you how grateful I am when you all take the time to share your thoughts and feelings! It truly means the world to me 💛 Thank you so, so much!!

I always try to write relationships that feel real, with all the messy emotions and soft, honest moments, so it makes me so happy to hear that it came through in the story!

And the fact that you added the Luke series to your favorites??? 🥺 I’m lowkey screaming!!! Thank you for reading and for being the absolute sweetest 🫶

[daeniradraconis]

Looooove age is just a number🥹

As a girlfriend who has a younger bf this made me so so happy. Thank you so much !!!

Will there be a part 3?? Maybe like getting to know their daily life after everyone started to accept her as a family? 🥹🥹

I'm so happy to hear that it resonated with you! Honestly, I was a bit nervous since I've never had a younger boyfriend, so I wasn’t sure if I’d nail the theme. But knowing it made you happy really means a lot to me! 🥹

And yes, part 3 is definitely coming! I just want to finish Quinn’s story first – I’m planning to upload that this week. Then, around the weekend or next week, I’ll start working on part 3! I’m sooo excited to finally write that! Stay tuned! 😊

[daeniradraconis]

Just read your Unexpected Overtime story with Quinn Hughes and omg it’s actually disgusting. You’re literally glorifying rape and abuse, wtf is wrong with you?? Also, your writing is straight up garbage. Pls just stop no one wants this. You’re not even a native English speaker and it SHOWS. So bad!!!!!!!!!!

First of all, thank you for reading.

Second, I want to be very clear: I would never glorify rape or abuse. I hadn’t planned to talk about this, but I also don’t feel ashamed of it anymore—this story is based on my own experience. Unfortunately, I was raped by my mother’s new partner. Writing helps me process my past, and including elements of my own story makes it easier for me to connect with what I’m writing. More importantly, I know that speaking about these things openly can help others who have been through similar experiences. If my writing can offer even a little hope or comfort to someone, then that’s enough for me.

If you’re referring to the way I wrote the sex scene, I stand by it. Many trauma survivors develop different preferences in intimacy as a way to process what they’ve been through. Exploring themes of control (or the lack of it) in a safe, consensual way is a coping mechanism for some. It’s not about glorifying anything—it’s about representing a very real aspect of trauma recovery that people often don’t talk about.

And yes, I know I’m not a native English speaker. I’ve said that many times, and I understand my writing isn’t perfect. But writing in English is a way for me to practice and improve. If my mistakes bother you, that’s okay—you don’t have to read my work. But I won’t stop doing something I love just because it doesn’t meet everyone’s preferences.

[daeniradraconis]

came to your blog to check for any updates and found your personal one….sending you so much love and hugs and infinites amount of support 🫶🫶🫶🫶

Thank you so much, that really means a lot 🫶 I’m feeling all the love and support, and it honestly helps more than I can say. ♥️

[daeniradraconis]

Are you guys still in Sweden? How were the hockey games?

Yesss, we’re still in 🇸🇪 but just for a little longer. 🥹 We’re flying out tonight, which is kinda bittersweet because this trip was everything. The atmosphere was electric, the games were intense, and honestly?! We couldn’t have asked for a better mini holiday!

I got to see my husband (William, my darling!) and my boyfriend got to see his too (Nico, the Swiss prince) so everyone is happy.

Also… I may or may not have eaten my body weight in cardamom buns. 🌝 But it was so worth it. Every. Single. One.

[daeniradraconis]

So we just arrived in Stockholm like two hours ago, and I’ve already eaten two cinnamon and three cardamom buns. 😭 I never want to leave this country. This is a pastry haven, guys!!!

I’m on a mission, btw, to convince my boyfriend to move here. Kinda had enough of rainy Dutch weather with no snow. Wish me luck! 🫶🏼

I’m not proud of it, but my Swedish is way better than my Dutch. And I’ve been living in NL for years. 😅 Dutchies just switch to English instantly. Swedes, on the other hand, love watching me struggle with their language. I kinda appreciate that. They’re so patient with me. 🥹 I’m like a baby barely able to talk, and they act all proud when I manage to piece together a normal sentence.